The proceedings in the case of the death of three minor tribal girl students due to snakebite in a government ashramshala (school) at Japatlai in Dhanora taluk of Gadchiroli district have now been speeded up. On the one hand, the Dhanora police have registered a case under serious sections against the headmaster, female superintendent, male superintendent, as well as the institution’s president and secretary. On the other hand, Tribal Development Department has also fixed departmental responsibility and suspended two officials. Further, the accreditation of Japatalai Ashramshala has also been revoked.
The incident took place on August 10, 2026 around 2 am. The students were sleeping and studying after dinner in the hostel of the aided ashram school in Japatlai. A snake entered the room and bit some students. Panic spread in the hostel due to this incident. The affected students were immediately taken to Dhanora Rural Hospital.
During treatment, 14-year-old Deepika Aitwa Lakra, Class 6, resident, Javali, Tehsil Attapalli and 15-year-old Sushmita Sarojit Mandal, Class 8, resident, Mendhri, Tehsil Attapalli, died. Subsequently, 16 female students were admitted to Gadchiroli District General Hospital showing symptoms related to snakebite. 8-year-old Anu Gajuram Koreti, Class 2, resident of Kehkawahi, Tehsil Dhanora also died during treatment. Thus, three innocent girl students lost their lives in this incident.