A magisterial investigation into the death of a Ryan International School student indicated a “heinous crime” was committed, the Delhi government said on Saturday. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said allegations of sexual assault were not looked into by the investigative authorities. Six-year-old Devansh Kakrora was found drowned in the school’s tank a week ago. The initial post-mortem report said Kakrora died due to drowning and that there were no external injuries.

Kakrora was retrieved from the tank by a class 9 student after all school authorities, including the swimming coach, refused to rescue the boy. The investigation report said the school’s deliberate inaction after his death pointed to gross criminal negligence, along with “serious misconduct” and “glaring lapses” in handling the incident. The report added that the school authorities deliberately carried out a “campaign of misinformation” to malign the child by suggesting he was a “special child”. The school’s principal, Sandhya Sabu, and three others were arrested earlier and released on bail.

However, Sisodia said that investigators have completely ignored questions raised by the child’s parents, who alleged sexual assault after his genitalia were found covered in cotton wool after he died, PTI reported. Sisodia added that the Delhi government was studying the report and would take appropriate action.