Jashpur, Nov 25: A 15-year-old girl studying in Class 9 allegedly died by suicide inside the study room of a private school in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district after accusing the school principal of molestation and sexual harassment.

Officials said the incident took place on Sunday evening in a village under the Bagicha police station limits.

The girl, a resident of Sitapur in neighbouring Surguja district, allegedly used a saree to hang herself from a ceiling rod.

Police recovered a suicide note from the spot, in which the victim accused principal Kuldipan Topno of molestation and harassment. Following this, Topno was arrested and a case registered against him.

“Further investigation is underway,” confirmed Jashpur Senior Superintendent of Police Shashimohan Singh.

A joint inquiry team comprising officials from the education, tribal, and police departments visited the school after the incident.

Preliminary findings revealed that the hostel on the school premises was being operated without mandatory permissions. Of the 124 students enrolled from Classes 6 to 12, 22 boys and 11 girls were staying in the hostel, which officials said was unauthorised. All relevant documents have been seized.

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Assistant Commissioner of the Tribal Department, Sanjay Singh, stated that the hostel lacked proper approvals.

Meanwhile, Bagicha Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pradeep Rathiya confirmed that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered. “The exact cause behind the incident will be ascertained only after the investigation,” he said.

The tragic case has sparked outrage in the region, with calls for stricter monitoring of private schools and hostels to ensure student safety.