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Father fights for daughter's crushed dreams

Updated on: 15 January,2009 11:58 AM IST |
Nupur Singh |

Girl was hit by school bus; parent wants adequate compensation

Girl was hit by school bus; parent wants adequate compensation

Eight-year-old Reema Khetri lay in Ward No 23-B at Safdarjung Hospital, her left leg heavily bandaged. She knew her father, Raj, was a worried man but was unable to fathom why. And Raj didn't want her to be burdened with his worries. "What do I do? I don't have enough money for my daughter's treatment. Her future looks bleak," cried Raj Khetri, looking at Reema.

Raj works as a chauffeur and his meagre income could hardly support his family. So he contacted the Billabong High school for compensation. The school paid a paltry sum of Rs 10,000, while the bill at the private hospital was Rs 75,000.

After the school repeatedly rejected his plea for more compensation, Raj approached the Sector 39 police station to lodge an FIR. But the police bargained that the FIR would be registered only if Raj returned the earlier compensation he had received from the school. However, later, Inspecting Officer Mahendra Singh Bhadoria agreed to register the case. The school principal could not be contacted for comments.

Currently admitted at Safdarjung Hospital, Reema needs to undergo a surgery and Raj is worried about her future. He dreams of securing it with the compensation he hopes the school will pay.

Is this enough?

A Noida school bus hit Reema. But school paid a paltry sum of Rs 10,000 as compensation. The bill for Reema's treatment was Rs 75,000. School refuses to pay more. Initially, the police too refused to lodge an FIR against the school.

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