A comprehensive health screening has been launched at an aided Ashram School in Maswan, Palghar, days after the death of seven-year-old Class 1 student Shreyas Shailesh Ambat. Authorities are also investigating reports of illness among several students and reviewing hygiene, drinking water and medical arrangements at the residential school.
Shreyas developed a high fever on August 22 and was initially taken to the local Primary Health Centre (PHC). After his fever returned, his condition worsened and he was shifted to the Rural Hospital in Manor after doctors observed a fall in his oxygen level. He was declared dead at the hospital. The exact cause of death is expected to be established through medical and post-mortem investigations.
The school has 449 enrolled students, including 395 residential students. Following the incident, 30 students reporting symptoms such as fever, cold and cough have been kept under medical observation at different health facilities in Palghar district.
Officials said 24 students are receiving treatment at the Maswan PHC, five are at the Rural Hospital in Manor and one is admitted at the Rural Hospital in Palghar. Their conditions have been reported as stable, while the remaining students are also said to be out of danger.
Medical teams have examined students at the school and collected blood and serum samples, throat swabs and other specimens to determine whether an infectious illness is responsible for the reported fever cases.
The samples have been sent to laboratories in Pune and the MRHRU laboratory at Dahanu for testing. Water samples from the school premises have also been collected and sent for analysis.
A team of senior officials visited the institution to assess the situation and review the health and safety arrangements. The team included Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Manoj Ranade, ITDP Project Officer Vishal Khatri, District Surgeon Dr Ramdas Marad, District Health Officer Dr Santosh Chaudhary and Additional Tribal Commissioner Gopichand Kadam.
Officials inspected the school’s sanitation and hygiene facilities, drinking water arrangements and medical response system. Measures for campus sanitation and water purification have also been initiated as a precaution.
Authorities said further medical action will be decided after the laboratory reports are received.
The administration has suspended Headmaster Rahul Sankhye, Superintendent Amruta Sawant and Pandurang Lahare pending an inquiry into the incident and the functioning of the school.
Earlier, the Food and Drug Administration inspected the school kitchen and collected grocery samples for laboratory testing. The administration is examining the circumstances surrounding the student's death, the health complaints among students and the overall management of the institution.
A four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development, Thane, to conduct a detailed inquiry.
The team will be headed by Apurva Basur, Project Officer, ITDP Jawhar. Dr Shashikant Salunkhe, Assistant District Health Officer, Palghar, and Rahul Deore, Junior Engineer, Public Works (Tribal), Jawhar, are members, while Deepak Tike, Assistant Project Officer, ITDP Jawhar, will serve as Member Secretary.
The SIT has been asked to investigate the circumstances surrounding Shreyas's death, examine health complaints among students, inspect sanitation and other facilities, and identify any irregularities in the school's functioning. It will submit its findings to the Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development, Thane.
The incident has also prompted demands for stronger government oversight of Ashram Schools. Shramjeevi Sanghatana president Sita Ghatal visited the institution and called on the Maharashtra government to take over its management and convert it into a fully government-run facility.
The school largely serves children from the vulnerable Katkari community and migrant tribal families from Dahanu and neighbouring areas. Ghatal said students need reliable emergency medical care, safe drinking water, adequate nutrition and better educational infrastructure.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over health and safety standards in Maharashtra's residential tribal schools. It comes weeks after three tribal girls reportedly died following snakebites at a residential school hostel in Gadchiroli.
Authorities have said the health and safety of students remain the top priority and that the Health Department, Tribal Development Department and other agencies are coordinating their response. Further action will follow once the pending laboratory reports are available.
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