The headmaster and a teacher of a government-run residential school in Kalahandi district have been arrested for alleged negligence that led to the death of an ailing 10-year-old hostel inmate. The duo has been booked under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, the police said yesterday.

The incident at Adhamunda Residential School for tribal students took place in July. The deceased, Asis Majhi, a class V student, was suffering from a high fever at the hostel since July 13, but was allegedly not taken to a doctor or hospital for treatment, a police officer said.

According to the police reports, Majhi's grandmother came to know of his illness when she visited the school on July 17. She admitted him to the Bhawanipatna Government Hospital and the boy died on the same day.

Following this, Majhi's grandfather filed a police complaint, alleging that he died due to negligence on part of the school authorities. Police said the arrests were made after a thorough probe and investigation in the matter.