Maharashtra Cancels Gadchiroli School Licence After 3 Girls Die of Snakebite

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the permanent cancellation of the licence of a government-aided residential school for tribal children in Japtalai village, located within Gadchiroli district, after three girls died following snakebites.

The incident took place at the ashram school in Japtalai village around midnight on Sunday. According to state officials, six girls were bitten by a snake while sleeping on the floor of the hostel premises. Three of the girls later died from the snakebites.

Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike briefed the state Cabinet about the incident during a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai. Following the briefing, Chief Minister Fadnavis directed officials to permanently revoke the school's licence.

In response to the tragedy, the state government has also decided to conduct a third-party audit of more than 500 government-aided ashram schools across Maharashtra to assess safety and living conditions.