KOLKATA: A Class X student of a reputable English-medium school in Sodepur lost her mother in an accident in Shyamnagar minutes before the girl was to appear for the ICSE mathematics examination on Tuesday morning.
Barrackpore Police Commissionerate made arrangements to ensure Srija Sengupta reached the exam hall and, despite the shock and grief, she completed the exam.
According to witnesses, Srija was travelling in an auto with her mother Shiuli around 9.40 am when it overturned at Shyamnagar Power House More, killing Shiuli. Two other passengers sustained injuries and were admitted to Bhatpara State General Hospital. Cops arrested the driver.
"The deceased has been identified as Shiuli Sengupta (40) from Sodepur's Ghola. Her daughter, Srija, is appearing for the ICSE examination and has her exam hall in a school in Shyamnagar Atpur," an officer said.
Cops said the duo had taken a train from Sodepur to Shyamnagar station. "From there, they boarded an auto to reach the exam centre. There were two other students and their guardians in the auto. Shiuli was seated on the right of the driver," the officer said.
Witnesses reported that the auto overturned while trying to overtake a motor van. Shiuli was crushed under the overturned auto while others escaped with minor or no injuries.
Cops and locals took her to hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Meanwhile, cops helped the three students reach their exam centre on time.
Atpur Traffic Guard inspector Sureshwar Mandal said: "As soon as the accident occurred, we took Shiuli to the hospital. But she could not be saved. However, keeping the students' exams in mind, we ensured that they reached their exam centre on time."
Jagaddal police seized the auto and have assured that all aspects of the incident will be thoroughly investigated.
"We were deeply shocked by the tragic death of a student's mother in front of her. Police, however, made all the arrangements to ensure Srija reached the examination hall safely to complete her exam," Barrackpore commissioner Ajay Kr Thakur told TOI.
