Class 7 Student Allegedly Sent Out of Hostel at Night
A disturbing incident at the Social Welfare Girls Hostel in Chintalapudi, Eluru district, has sparked widespread criticism and public debate. A Class 7 student, Bulla Akshaya, allegedly asked for a blanket as she was feeling cold. Following this, the hostel warden, P. Swapna, was accused of behaving inappropriately and sending the minor girl out of the hostel late at night.
The incident reportedly took place between 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM, forcing the student to call her parents, who had to come and take her home. The incident triggered outrage among the public and child rights activists.
Fact Check AP Calls Viral Reports Misleading
As the incident went viral on social media, the Andhra Pradesh government’s official Fact Check AP handle issued a clarification. It stated that the student had not been admitted to the hostel for the current academic year and that the warden had acted according to the rules by informing the parents before sending her away.
The official statement described the viral reports as misleading. However, the response itself attracted criticism, with many questioning whether it was appropriate to dismiss the allegations before a detailed official inquiry was completed.
Collector’s Inquiry Finds Warden Violated Rules
Meanwhile, Eluru District Collector Vetri Selvi conducted an inquiry into the incident. The investigation concluded that hostel warden P. Swapna had acted negligently by sending a minor student out of the hostel at night without obtaining permission from higher authorities.
The Collector observed that the warden’s actions violated established hostel regulations and reflected irresponsible conduct. Based on the findings, orders were issued suspending the warden from her duties.
Questions Raised Over Government’s Fact Check Response
Following the Collector’s action, questions have intensified over the earlier statement issued by the government’s official Fact Check AP handle. While the official inquiry confirmed procedural violations by the warden, the government’s fact-checking platform had earlier dismissed the reports as false.
The contrasting positions have led to discussions about possible coordination gaps between government departments and whether official communication was released before all facts were verified.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
The incident has prompted demands for greater transparency in government communication. Many believe official fact-checking agencies should thoroughly verify facts before issuing public statements and avoid creating the impression of protecting individuals before investigations are completed.
Apart from taking strict action against those responsible, public representatives, intellectuals, and civil society organizations have stressed the need to strengthen accountability and transparency within the government’s official information system to maintain public trust.
