Ahmedabad: In a decisive move following the murder of a Class 10 student at Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Maninagar, Ahmedabad district education officer (DEO) Rohit Chaudhary ordered the dismissal of the school’s principal, administrative head, and other responsible staff for gross negligence.

The DEO issued a formal letter to the school’s management, directing the immediate termination of principal G Immanuel, administrator Mayurika Patel, and implicated staff members, citing their failure to respond appropriately during the tragedy. The management was instructed to take swift action and submit a compliance report.

The shocking incident occurred last week when a Class 10 student, Nayan Santani, was attacked with a paper cutter by his junior. He succumbed to his injuries during treatment a day later. Parents of other students created an uproar on campus, accusing the school of mishandling the crisis. Investigation revealed that the school delayed providing critical assistance to the injured student and failed to inform the DEO’s office about the incident.

The crime branch, which is also probing the case, registered an FIR against the principal, security guards, and administrative staff under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing negligence.

Earlier, the DEO had issued a notice to the school, questioning why its No Objection Certificate (NOC) should not be revoked. The explanation submitted by the school was deemed unsatisfactory.

On Tuesday, senior representatives from the school’s Pune-based management rushed to Ahmedabad to defend the institution, but the DEO rejected their clarifications. The school’s claim that the principal failed to communicate the incident was not accepted.

The DEO has now made it clear that the school must take strict disciplinary measures and report back immediately. Revocation of the school’s NOC remains under active consideration.