A four-year-old boy was killed after allegedly falling from a moving private school bus in Karnataka’s Gadag district, sparking anger and protests among local residents and the victim’s family.
The deceased has been identified as Pratham Lamani, a Lower Kindergarten (LKG) student of Little Heart School in Shigli village under Lakshmeshwar taluk. Pratham’s father, who serves in the Indian Army, was reportedly home on leave at the time of the incident.
The tragedy occurred on the outskirts of Doddur village while the child was returning home from school. According to preliminary information, the boy is believed to have fallen from the bus door 200–300 metres before his designated drop point, sustaining severe injuries that proved fatal.
Family members and villagers have alleged serious negligence on the part of the bus driver and attendant. They claimed the injured child was not immediately taken to a hospital and that the bus continued its route without informing school authorities or the child’s parents. It was also alleged that the bus was later abandoned in an isolated area and those involved fled the scene.
Residents accused the school bus operator of gross safety violations and demanded strict action against those responsible. Following the incident, police from Lakshmeshwar Police Station reached the spot, conducted an inspection and launched an investigation.
Gadag Superintendent of Police Rohan Jagadeesh confirmed that a case has been registered and the bus driver has been arrested. “It is an accident. The boy succumbed to injuries caused by the accident,” he said, adding that the sequence of events would be established after recording statements and verifying facts.
The child’s family also accused the school management of failing to respond promptly. They alleged that no school officials, including the principal or teachers, reached the spot for several hours after the incident.
“They should have shown humanity. Instead, no one came,” family members said, alleging insensitivity and delayed communication regarding the child’s death.
The incident has renewed concerns over school bus safety and accountability in Karnataka, with locals calling for stricter enforcement of transport regulations to prevent such tragedies.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
