Class 2 student run over by van in school, church denies burial


Chennai: In a tragic incident, a second standard student was run over by a school van in the school premises at Alwarthirunagar near Valasaravakkam area in the city Monday.

Sources said the incident took place when the school van driver was reversing the vehicle.

The student, Deekshith, who came to the school in the van, was proceeding to his classroom. As he left behind something in the van, he came to take it when the tragedy occurred.

The boy died on the spot following which the school management had declared a holiday for the day.

Acting on information, police rushed to the spot and arrested Poongavanam, the van driver.

Chennai District Educational Officer (DEO) visited the spot and the Director of Matriculation Schools has sought a report from the DEO about the incident.

Valasaravakkam police have taken the School Principal to the station for investigation.

Meanwhile, the boy was denied a burial place by the Roman Catholic church, it was alleged by his mother.

The grieving mother who was visibly agitated lamented about the ‘blatant discrimination’ practiced by the Roman Catholic Church.

She said that her request for a prayer meeting was denied by the Church stating that she belonged to the ‘CSI’ (Church of South India) denomination and not the Roman Catholic.

‘You are not able to give a piece of land to bury my child. What kind of Christian are you?’ she asked.