Ballari hostel rampage: Minor student killed, 7 injured

A Class 9 student allegedly went on a violent rampage at the hostel of a private residential school on Talur Road in Ballari district late on Saturday (March 7, 2026) night, killing a classmate and injuring seven others, including a girl student and the hostel warden.

The incident occurred at the Gurukul Hostel attached to the Gurukul International School. According to the police, the accused minor allegedly attacked his classmates with an iron bed rod following a minor dispute after dinner. The attack took place while the victims were reportedly asleep.

The injured were rushed to the Ballari Medical College and Research Centre (BMCRC) hospital in Ballari. Medical authorities stated that while some students are stable, others remain in serious condition. The hostel warden, identified as Blessy, also sustained injuries while attempting to intervene.

Victim’s family alleges negligence

While the school management has termed the incident an assault with an iron rod, Lakshmikant, the father of the deceased boy, alleged in his complaint that his son was stabbed with a knife and that the attack was intentional. The victim’s family has also raised several questions regarding the incident. 

The victim’s parents have also held the school administration accountable for the security lapse. “How could a minor carry out such a brutal assault inside a monitored hostel premises?” the victim’s father questioned. He also demanded a stringent legal action against both the accused minor and the hostel’s administrative officer for negligence.

The Brucepet police have registered a case based on the victim’s father’s complaint.

Accused student on the run

Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar said that a preliminary investigation is underway to determine the exact motive behind the incident and the weapon used. A search operation has been launched to apprehend the accused student, who fled the spot immediately after the incident.

Inspector General of Police, Ballari Range, P.S. Harsha, speaking to the media, stated that the police team, including the Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, have conducted a detailed examination of the hostel where the incident occurred.

Dr. Harsha confirmed that police have recorded a formal statement from the hostel warden who was among those injured in the attack. He assured a thorough probe into the alleged security lapses and the sequence of events at the Gurukul Hostel.

“Given that both the accused and the victims are minors, we are maintaining the utmost sensitivity in this case,” the officer noted, declining to provide more on the preliminary findings to protect the legal rights and privacy of the children involved.