The Maharashtra government has cancelled the license of a tribal residential school in Gadchiroli following the death of three girls from snakebites. Authorities have ordered a third-party audit of over 500 aided ashram schools to investigate systemic safety failures and administrative negligence, signaling a stricter approach to oversight in government-aided institutions.
The Maharashtra government has permanently cancelled the license of a residential tribal school located in Japtalai, Gadchiroli, following the death of three students on August 9, 2026. The students reportedly died from snakebites, an incident that prompted an immediate government response due to reports of severe negligence at the institution.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the closure of the facility, citing a lack of fundamental safety measures, including the absence of teachers and wardens. The government has also initiated the suspension of the inspecting official who had filed a favorable report regarding the school’s condition despite its clear deficiencies. This action highlights a significant failure in the oversight mechanism designed to monitor government-aided facilities.
Following this tragedy, the state administration has launched a comprehensive third-party audit covering more than 500 aided ashram schools across Maharashtra. The audit is expected to evaluate the operational standards of these institutions, focusing on infrastructure quality, staffing requirements, and overall student safety protocols. The government's objective is to identify systemic lapses that may be present in other remote or interior locations.
The findings from this state-wide audit will be a critical monitorable for the Tribal Development Department. For observers, the key focus will be whether this third-party review leads to improved maintenance budgets, stricter adherence to safety norms, and greater accountability for officials responsible for monitoring these schools. The implementation of safety standards in these residential institutions remains the immediate priority for the state administration.