Jaipur: A nine-year-old student, who tragically died after jumping from the fourth floor of her school building on October 1, was reportedly under intense stress and subjected to bullying by her classmates in the moments leading up to the incident, according to a probe panel report submitted to the Rajasthan education department.

The five-member committee, led by District Education Officer Ramniwas Sharma, reviewed CCTV footage from the school and found that the girl, a Class 4 student, had faced a stressful situation for about 40 minutes during her last class. The footage showed that five to seven of her classmates repeatedly irritated and bullied her, while her repeated complaints to the teacher went largely unheeded.

“In 40 minutes, she took up the matter at least three times with the teacher,” Sharma said. “The visuals show that she was clearly stressed, but the teacher instructed her to return to her seat instead of addressing her concerns immediately.” According to the report, the students bullying her were also seen making counter-complaints, prompting the teacher to ask the entire class to be quiet and return to their seats.

After leaving the classroom ostensibly to use the washroom, the girl reportedly went upstairs, climbed onto the railing of the fourth-floor balcony, and jumped. The CCTV footage captured this sequence of events, sparking outrage among parents, educators, and the public.

The panel also flagged significant safety violations at the school. The building lacked a manager on every floor to monitor students’ movements, the structure exceeded the recommended height, and the balconies were not equipped with protective nets to prevent accidents. “These lapses contributed to the tragedy and highlight a serious failure in ensuring student safety,” the report stated.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar, who is currently away from Jaipur, is expected to review the findings and decide on further action on Thursday. An official noted that the absence of audio in the footage limited the panel’s ability to fully investigate the extent and nature of the bullying. Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities plan to summon the English teacher of the class where the incident occurred.

The student’s parents have alleged that the bullying had sexual undertones and had significantly affected their daughter’s mental health. According to her mother, the bullying began after she introduced herself to a boy in the school months prior. Despite repeated complaints to the boy’s parents, the school coordinator, and her teacher, the harassment persisted. “On the day of the incident, my daughter was reluctant to go to school. We had planned to change her school, but this tragedy occurred before we could act,” the mother said. The parents have also filed a case against the school.

This incident has reignited concerns over student safety, mental health support in schools, and the handling of bullying by educators. Experts emphasize that timely intervention, monitoring, and robust grievance mechanisms are crucial to prevent such tragedies.

Authorities have reminded parents and educators of suicide prevention resources, noting that discussions on suicides can be triggering. In India, major helpline numbers include 011-23389090 (Sumaitri, Delhi) and 044-24640050 (Sneha Foundation, Chennai), which provide confidential support and guidance for those in distress.

The Jaipur case underscores the urgent need for schools to not only maintain physical safety standards but also foster a supportive environment where children can report bullying without fear, and teachers are trained to respond effectively. As the police and education authorities continue their investigations, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding children’s mental and physical well-being in educational institutions.