A 17-year-old Class 12 student, Prince Soni, died after falling unconscious at Maharana Pratap School in Jhotwara, Jaipur, following a meal at the school canteen, prompting protests from parents and students and an official probe, police and parent representatives said on Friday.
Sequence of events and response
According to the Parents Association and hospital sources, Prince fell ill after eating a patty purchased from the school canteen on Wednesday. He informed school staff that he was unwell and was taken to the restroom, where he reportedly became unconscious within minutes. School personnel attempted to revive him but he did not regain consciousness, the Parents Association said.
Parents and relatives allege that the school did not provide immediate medical aid or rush him to hospital; instead, he remained on the premises until his family arrived. Parents' representatives put the delay in arranging medical attention at about 40–45 minutes. After being taken to a nearby hospital, Prince was referred to Manipal Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Prince Soni, 17, Class 12 |
| School | Maharana Pratap School, Jhotwara |
| Alleged cause | Ate a patty at the school canteen; choking or poor-quality food being examined |
| Action taken | FIR registered; two school officials summoned for questioning; Education Minister ordered inquiry |
Police and investigatory steps
Jhotwara police registered a first information report (FIR) into the incident and have summoned two school officials for interrogation, the station's records show. Assistant Sub-Inspector Narendra Kumar is among police personnel who have recorded statements from teachers and students as part of the inquiry.
Investigators are seeking to establish whether the patty was of substandard quality or whether a piece of food choked the student’s oesophagus, sources said. No formal cause of death has been disclosed publicly pending medico-legal procedures and the ongoing probe.
Protests and demands
On Friday, parents and students gathered outside the school and staged demonstrations, raising slogans against the school management and demanding a thorough inquiry and stern action if negligence is established. Relatives and protesters criticised the school for what they described as a delay in providing emergency assistance.
- Parents allege the boy began vomiting after eating the patty and later collapsed in the classroom.
- They say school staff moved him to another room and called the family instead of immediately taking him to hospital.
- Students and relatives demanded accountability and assurances on canteen food safety and emergency protocols.
"If the school staff are found negligent in providing timely aid to Prince or the school management is found responsible for a lack of proper arrangements, stringent action will be taken against those guilty," Education Minister Madan Dilawar said after taking cognisance of the case.
Local context and wider implications
The death has raised concerns among Jaipur parents about canteen hygiene, food quality and schools' emergency response systems. The complainants include residents of Brijmandal Colony, Jhotwara, where the deceased lived. A relative, named in reports as Ravi Kumar, reiterated the family's allegation that the school delayed sending the student for medical treatment.
Officials have said they will carry out an in-depth probe to determine the exact circumstances. The outcome of forensic and medical examinations, along with witness statements from teachers and students, will be central to identifying whether criminal negligence occurred or if the incident resulted from an accidental choking or a sudden medical event following the meal.
As the inquiry proceeds, the episode has prompted calls from parents for clearer protocols in Jaipur schools for immediate medical assistance, verified food-safety measures in canteens, and compulsory training of staff in first aid and emergency evacuation.
Police said further details will be released as the investigation advances and official reports are finalised.
