In a breakthrough late on Friday in the seven-year-old child’s murder case in Gurugram, the police arrested Ryan International School’s bus conductor and detained 9 other people. Pradhuman Thakur, a Class II student of Ryan International School in Sohna, was found dead at his school’s premises on Friday. The child’s throat was slit and the bloodied up body was found inside a toilet designated for staff members. The police claimed to have cracked the case hours after the gruesome murder with the arrest of one of the school’s bus conductors, Ashok Kumar. Sumit Kuhar, DCP Crime, Gurugram, said the alleged killer had also tried to sodomise the Class II student. “But when the student resisted and cried, he killed him and fled after leaving the knife behind,” the DCP claimed. The police, who said they had detained ten people, told PTI they zeroed in on the accused after two students saw him walking down a corridor. Kumar confessed to the crime after being grilled by a team, the police said. The boy’s father, Varun Thakur, who works as a quality manager with a private firm in Gurugram, accused the school administration of negligence and said he was not told how critical his child was. “They told me his health had deteriorated suddenly. They did not take care of my son. He could have been saved if he had been taken to a hospital in time,” said Thakur, who dropped his son and daughter, a student of Class 5, to the school in the morning. Parents vandalise school property The death triggered outrage, with hundreds of parents and locals gathering outside the private school and protesting against the school management. Two people were arrested for vandalising school property. The police said some students found the boy in the washroom in the school building in the Sohna area at around 8.30 am. “The students alerted the teachers and the school management then informed the police, who rushed him to Artemis Hospital. He was declared brought dead by doctors,” Ravinder Kumar, PRO Gurugram Police, said. The police said Ashok Kumar told them he managed to carry a knife into the school because he knew he would not be frisked by the guards at the gate since he was a known face. [caption id=“attachment_4025343” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of the classroom where Pradyumn studied. Image credit: 101Reporters[/caption] The police said he then went to the washroom, and then waited there, intending to commit sodomy on any student who walked in. “As soon as the boy entered the toilet, Kumar held him. But the boy resisted his attempts with full force and when the accused failed to sodomise him, he slit his throat and right ear,” a senior police officer told PTI. The police claimed he later washed his hands and walked out of the washroom, leaving the knife behind. He also tried to help the teachers when the boy was being taken to the hospital. “Ashok Kumar carried the boy with the others and took him to the car,” the officer said. The police said it had earlier detained and questioned 10 people, including a gardener, conductors and drivers. School head Neerja Batra said she had come out of the morning assembly prayers when she saw a teacher running, followed by two more teachers. “The child was in a pool of blood. We did not wait for a second and put the child in my vehicle and I sent them to the hospital,” she said. The school said in a statement it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident”. “He had suffered critical injuries and was immediately rushed to the hospital by the school head. Despite all attempts, unfortunately his life couldn’t be saved,” it said, adding that the school was cooperating with the police. In 2016, the body of a six-year-old student of the school’s Vasant Kunj branch in south Delhi was found in a water tank. The principal and a teacher were booked for negligence in May this year. The brutal murder in the upmarket Gurugram school evoked widespread horror, prompting the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to visit the school and the hospital where the child was taken. The apex body for child rights recommended that a case of negligence be registered against the management of the school. “We have told the police that a case of negligence be registered against the school management as we have found that the school did not undertake police verification of teaching and non-teaching staff,” said Priyank Kanoongo, Member RTE & Education, NCPCR. A police team, including forensic experts, had earlier collected blood samples and fingerprints from the washroom and tested the blood stained knife that had been recovered from the spot. The body has been sent for a postmortem, the police said. With inputs from PTI
Gurugram school murder probe as it happened: Police to prepare chargesheet within 7 days, request for fast track trial
A seven-year-old boy who was today found with his throat slit and lying in a pool of blood in a washroom of a private school was allegedly killed by a bus conductor
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Hackers take over Ryan International School website in memory of Pradyuman Thakur
Ryan International School’s website was hacked on Wednesday by a team of hackers who call themselves as Team Kerala Cyber Warriors or GHO57_R007. However, the website is no longer accessible.
The website was hacked on the same day when the Bombay High Court granted relief to Augustine Francis (73) Pinto, founder of the Ryan International School and his wife Grace Pinto, managing director of the Ryan International Group of Institutions in connection with the murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur. Read more here .
Forensic team has recovered weapon, says Gurugram police chief
#RyanMustAnswer#MegaExclusive
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 13, 2017
The forensic team has recovered the weapon: Sandeep Khirwar, Gurugram Police Chief https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/DbU0P15R8u
We hope our investigation satisfies parents, court in due course, says Gurugram police chief
Gurugram police chief Sandeep Kairwar says they are trying their best to satisy the parents and the court through their investigation. “There are legitimate questions which we are trying to answer, in due course we will find the answer,” says Kairwar.
Gardener claims to have seen Pradyuman lying in blood, debunking earlier versions
Harpal, 25, an employee of the Ryan International School on Sohna Road, said he saw the Class II student lying in a pool of blood in the corridor close to the toilet’s main door.
“I went there to have water from the water cooler installed near the toilet. Some children were shouting ‘please call Anju Madam’. At the same time, I saw the bus conductor coming from the main gate side. Kumar’s clothes didn’t have any blood stains on them,” said Harpal, a gardener in the school.
“Minutes later, Anju Madam arrived there and sought the bus conductor’s help to carry the child to a vehicle to shift him to a private hospital. Kumar took Praduman to the vehicle,” Harpal said. – IANS
Pradyuman’s classmate refuses to return to school; shares details of fateful day
#EXCLUSIVE - Pradhyuman's classmate speaks exclusively to CNN-News18 #RyanInternationalSchool. pic.twitter.com/Vc79PhzqnQ
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 13, 2017
However, 15-minute CCTV capture nails conductor Ashok as killer
#RyanMustAnswer
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 13, 2017
Big revelation: CCTV captured conductor going inside toilet. Watch this detailed report from @ShamsTahirKhan pic.twitter.com/anlCRWPpuH
Police plan to recreate crime scene
Multiple versions of what happened and pressure from parents and media has perhaps led police to start fresh interrogation. What seemed like an open and shut case is probably being reviewed. Police even plans to recreate the murder scene.
#BREAKING - Entire teaching staff of #RyanInternationalSchool called inside school premises for interrogation | @TanushreePande pic.twitter.com/qP1Kp3iE5C
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 13, 2017
The entire staff arrives at school
Gurugram: Principal and teachers reach #RyanInternationalSchool (Bhondsi) as police have called them for investigation. pic.twitter.com/uAIdAV1WlE
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2017
All 50 teachers of Ryan International school have been called for questioning
#BREAKING - Entire teaching staff of #RyanInternationalSchool called inside school premises for interrogation | @TanushreePande pic.twitter.com/Wmr28ZSyfI
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 13, 2017
Pradyuman Thakur’s father has opposed bail plea
The father of a seven-year-old boy murdered inside the Gurugram branch of the Ryan International School in Haryana last week, filed an application on Wednesday in the Bombay High Court seeking dismissal of the anticipatory transit bail plea filed by the school’s trustees.
Varun Thakur intervened through his lawyers Sushil K Tekriwal and Mamta Tekriwal in the hearing of the bail plea of the three school trustees – Augustine F Pinto, Grace Pinto and Ryan Pinto.
HR Jayesh head Jayesh Thomas sent to Bhondsi till 18 September
HR head Jayesh Thomas of #RyanInternationalSchool sent to Bhondsi. Will produced to special court on Sept 16 @HTGurgaon @htdelhi @htTweets pic.twitter.com/Jw91yU3lg8
— Dr. Leena Dhankhar (@leenadhankhar) September 13, 2017
Ryan International School in Greater Noida brings in new rules to ensure safety of students
#RyanInternationalSchool Greater Noida brings various rules to ensure safety. Promises verification of staff @htTweets @HTNoidaGzb pic.twitter.com/0NLRVh4Dgl
— Vaibhav (@Vaibhav_Rptr) September 13, 2017
Student unions from Mumbai demand proper investigation
#Studentunions from #Mumbai ask for proper investigation in #PradyumnaMurderCase against #RyanInternationalSchool at #Bombayhighcourt pic.twitter.com/Vd6l1CQ5a1
— Vidya (@journovidya) September 13, 2017
Maneka Gandhi, Prakash Javadekar to hold meeting soon
A high-level meeting will be chaired by Maneka Gandhi, Prakash Javadekar along with officials of the two ministries, NCPCR, CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for tightening child safety on school premises.
Ryan International Group’s northern zone head Francis Thomas sent to police remand till 16 September
#Ryan International Group's northern zone head Francis Thomas sent to police remand till Sept16,HR head sent to judicial custody till Sept18
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2017
Gruesome details of what happened and what the school claimed
#RyanInternationalSchool boy's death: Here are some of the gruesome details that have come to light#middayNews https://t.co/RdFYiHyTVC pic.twitter.com/SgbvaAWMtO
— Mid Day (@mid_day) September 13, 2017
Ryan Group official had moved SC seeking transfer of case
An official of the Ryan Group on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the student murder case from outside a local court at Sohna, alleging the bar has restrained lawyers from representing the accused in the sensational case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Amitava Roy and AM Khanwilkar considered the submission of senior advocate KTS Tulsi that the fundamental right of a person to be represented by a lawyer of his choice is getting infringed.
Interim relief for Pintos to continue
#BREAKING - #RyanInternationalSchool Murder Case: Interim relief for Pintos to continue. pic.twitter.com/OHG8llhjck
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 13, 2017
Bail plea was file by Pintos on Monday
The bail plea by the trustees of the St Xaviers Education Trust — which manages the Ryan International Schools across India was filed apprehending arrest on Monday.
The Pinto family had applied for the anticipatory transit bail to move an appropriate judicial authority in Haryana — which came up for hearing on Tuesday when the court posted it for Wednesday. IANS
Bombay HC defers hearing of Pintos, founders of Ryan Empire
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday adjourned till afternoon the hearing in the anticipatory bail plea filed by Ryan International School trustees in a case involving the murder of a Class II student at their Gurugram branch.
The adjournment follows an intervention application — filed by the father of seven-year-old Pradhyuman Thakur, who was murdered inside the Haryana school on 8 September — seeking dismissal of the anticipatory transit bail plea filed by the school trustees.
Barun Chandra Thakur intervened through his lawyers Sushil K Tekriwal and Mamta Tekriwal in the hearing of the bail plea of the three school trustees – Augustine F Pinto, Grace Pinto and Ryan Pinto. IANS
Transit anticipatory bail application of Pintos adjourned for Thursday
Pradyuman death case: Transit anticipatory bail applications of AF Pinto, Grace Pinto & Ryan Pinto adjourned for tomorrow
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2017
Ryan International Group’s northern zone head Francis Thomas, branch (Bhondsi) coordinator produced in Sohna court
Pradyuman death case: Ryan International Group's northern zone head Francis Thomas & branch (Bhondsi) coordinator produced in Sohna court
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2017
There was no verification process for us, says Ryan International School security guard
School never asked for any verification process, management said our contract has ended; Blood was mopped off crime scene: Security Guard pic.twitter.com/wRSAWseHiu
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 13, 2017
Ryan school management to appear in Sohna court at 4 pm
The management of Ryan International school will appear in the Haryana court at 4 pm today, News18 reported.
Victim’s father opposes pre-arrest bail plea of Ryan trustees
The father of murdered Class II student Pradyuman Thakur is opposing the pre-arrest bail plea of the Ryan group trustees, News18 reported.
Actress Renuka Shahane ‘horrified’ at brutal murder, bashes school for security lapses
Shahane lists out a range of red flags that should have been enough to raise alarm at the school.
In the case of the Gurugram murder there were so many breaches of security.
- That the bus conductor or driver were allowed to use the same washroom as the kids.
- The accused was allowed to carry a knife inside the school.
- There was no female attendant from the school outside the washroom.
- When the child screamed there was no one to help immediately.
- The school management tried to cover up the crime
- There was a huge breach in the school wall; no doubt a huge risk to the security of the school
Bhopal Police issues advisory to schools after murder at Gurugram school
In view of murder at #Gurugram's Ryan Intl School,Bhopal Police issues advisory asking schools to undertake Police verification of staff.
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2017
Nitish Kumar speaks to deceased’s family, urges Manohar Lal Khattar to meet them
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday spoke with the family members of a seven-year-old boy who was killed in the toilet of a Gurugram school.
Kumar also spoke with his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar, requesting him to meet the family members who hail from Bihar’s Madhubani district.
Inspection of crime scene shows security at school far from satisfactory
CNN-News 18’s report from the crime scene revealed that the staff washrooms, where the 7-year-old’s body was found, was not secured properly. Lack of CCTV cameras in that particular section of school has been observed, also a broken window to the washroom could become an easy escape root for outsiders trying to break into the school premises. Watch the full report.
#EXCLUSIVE – Visuals from the spot where Pradyman was killed at #RyanInternationalSchool | @TanushreePande pic.twitter.com/QRNvh8N0z9
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 11, 2017
HRD Ministry resends security advisory to private schools
The HRD ministry has once again sent the existing security advisory to private schools urging them to put in place the measures suggested. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said that he will also ensure that more women employees are hired to make the public space for kids safer.
In 2015, a five-year-old had died at the same school after falling into an open septic tank
According to CNN-News 18, another tragedy had hit the same branch of the Ryan International School, allegedly due to safety lapses. A five-year-old was found dead after he accidentaly fell into an open septic tank.
Three teachers, five other employees of Ryan International School being questioned
#EXCLUSIVE – 3 teachers and 5 other employees of #RyanInternationalSchool are detained inside a room | @akash_kolluru pic.twitter.com/rMjGqaDQzO
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 11, 2017
Ryan International School’s trustees seeks anticipatory bail
The trustees of the Ryan International Schools on Monday filed an application in the Bombay High Court seeking anticipatory transit bail to move an appropriate court in Haryana in a seven-year-old’s death at their Gurugram school, official sources said.
“Yes, the trust’s lawyers have moved an application for an anticipatory transit bail to enable them to go to Haryana and file an application before an appropriate court for relief,” said an official connected to one of the schools in Mumbai, who declined to be identified.
The matter is likely to come up for hearing before the High Court on Tuesday, the official added.


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