An 11-year-old boy died after coming in contact with an overhead high tension electricity wire at a government primary school in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh on November 2, 2026. The incident has raised serious questions about safety and supervision inside schools among students.
Arshad Ahmed was a Class 4 student in a primary school at Kanaila village under Garwar police station area. Police said he was taken to terrace of school to pluck bottle gourds for mid-day meal scheme when electricity line came in contact with him and he died.
What Happened at the School?
Police officials said the incident took place at about 9 a.m. on Monday, November 2.
The boy had reportedly been asked by a teacher to go up to the school rooftop and collect bottle gourds. Overhead high tension electricity line passed near terrace. While trying to pluck the vegetables he touched wire and died from electric shock.
The incident shocked other students and the school and local authorities acted immediately.
The police took the boy’s body to a post-mortem as part of the investigation.
Family Raises Allegations Against School Staff
The victim’s family said a teacher sent the child to the rooftop despite there being a dangerous electricity line.
Arshad’s brother Salman complained to the police naming acting headmaster, assistant teacher, contractual instructor (shiksha mitra) and junior engineer from electricity department.
Police filed a case based on the complaint. Allegations against school staff and electricity department official are under investigation.
Three School Staff Members Arrested
Police arrested three school employees on November 3 after the incident.
The arrested persons are acting headmaster Vijay Shankar, assistant teacher Anil Kumar and shiksha mitra Deep Chandra Ram.
Ballia District Basic Education Officer Manish Kumar Singh also confirmed administrative action against the school staff.
The acting headmaster and assistant teacher were suspended late on November 2. The education department also initiated proceedings to terminate the services of contractual instructor.
The police investigation will look into what happened that led to the child’s death and who was responsible.
Villagers Protest After the Child's Death
The incident enraged Kanaila villagers. Villagers gathered at school and protested against the culprits demanding action and accountability from them.
Officials from administration, education department and electricity department reached the place to deal with it.
Authorities promised the family action would be taken. The protest showed that children in schools were not safe because dangerous electrical infrastructure was close to buildings and play areas.
School Safety Concerns Come into Focus
The tragedy has focused attention on electrical safety in government schools (where overhead high tension lines run near classrooms, rooftops or other areas accessible to children).
Schools should not expose students to dangerous electrical installations and children should never be given tasks involving hazardous equipment or locations.
The investigation into Arshad Ahmed’s death is continuing. The case has also raised questions about safety checks, staff responsibilities and coordination between education and electricity authorities.
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