Mumbai: Death of Malwani school principal after FIR sparks

The death of a 44yearold school principal days after his institution was named in a police case has triggered fresh scrutiny of the ongoing crackdown on allegedly unauthorised schools in MalwaniGanesh Bharyawala founder and principal of Achinvas Learning Campus died of a heart attack on June 20 two days after an FIR was registered against his school as part of action taken against 14 institutions in the areaHis family has alleged that the FIR and subsequent developments left him under severe emotional stress in the days leading up to his deathWhat happenedgtgt June 18 FIR registered against 14 schools in Malvanigtgt June 20 Ganesh Bharyawala suffers a fatal heart attackgtgt Family alleges he was under severe mental stress after the FIRgtgt No official agency has linked the FIR to his deathFamilyrsquos statementSpeaking to midday Bharyawalarsquos wife Sheetal said her husband underwent a significant change after learning about the FIRGanesh Bharyawala founder and principal of Achinvas Learning Campus during a school function Bharyawala died of a heart attack on June 20 days after his school was named in an FIR as part of action against 14 institutions in Malwani PicsBy Special ArrangementldquoFollowing the registration of the FIR our family witnessed a significant change in his mental and emotional condition He was under severe stress anxiety and emotional distress due to the allegations and circumstances arising from the caserdquo said Sheetal BharyawalaShe said the family witnessed visible signs of anguish and requested authorities to consider the impact of the emotional distress he experienced in the days before his deathldquoThe intense emotional strain and psychological pressure he experienced in the days immediately preceding his death had a profound impact on his health and wellbeingrdquo said SheetalThe larger crackdownThe FIR against Achinvas Learning Campus was part of a wider action initiated after authorities identified schools allegedly operating without mandatory approvalsThe numbersgtgt 164 schools flagged as unauthorised across Mumbaigtgt 14 schools booked in Malwanigtgt FIR registered on June 18gtgt One of the schools named Achinvas Learning CampusWhat authorities sayAccording to police sources the action followed a review of schools allegedly operating without mandatory approvals and infrastructure requirements prescribed under education rulesThe FIR was registered following a complaint by the BMCrsquos Private Primary School DepartmentSchools push backSeveral school operators named in the FIR have disputed the allegations and claim they had been functioning while pursuing recognition through official channelsAmong the concerns raisedgtgt Schools claim recognition applications were pendinggtgt Some operators say they had submitted documents repeatedlygtgt Others question why schools were assigned election and government duties if they were considered illegalSchools named in the FIRThe FIR names 14 institutions including Little World English School Father Abraham English School Little Wonders School Rose Mary English School Zeel English School Dayasagar English High School Cosmos English School Sadhana High School SM English School MH English School Crescent English School Indian Glory English School Happy Valley English School and Achinvas Learning Campus