Authorities have launched an inquiry after a Class 10 student gave birth to a baby in the hostel of a state-run residential school in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, police said on Tuesday.

The girl delivered a baby girl on Monday after returning to the hostel following her board examination, officials confirmed. The shocking incident has raised serious questions about the school’s supervision and the overall well-being of students in state-run hostels.

The headmaster of the school, operated under the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Class Welfare Department, expressed disbelief. “Men are strictly prohibited from entering the girls’ hostel. We have no idea how this happened,” he stated.

He also pointed out a lapse in regular health monitoring. “Health workers are required to conduct weekly check-ups of all students. This incident suggests negligence on their part,” he added.

Following the delivery, the girl and her newborn were rushed to the Chitrakonda Sub-Divisional Hospital before being shifted to the Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital. Officials confirmed that both the mother and child are in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the girl’s parents have demanded an explanation from school authorities, questioning how the pregnancy remained undetected until the time of delivery.

District Welfare Officer Srinivas Acharya stated that preliminary investigations suggest the girl may have conceived during a vacation at home. “A departmental inquiry is already underway,” he said, adding that police have detained a man suspected to be responsible for the pregnancy.

The incident has sparked widespread concern, prompting authorities to review hostel safety measures and strengthen monitoring protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Source: PTI

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