Thiruvananthapuram, July 5 (IANS) Kerala Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi Saturday said that the education department would conduct an inquiry into the alleged stripping of a schoolgirl to search for a mobile phone. The Class XII student, who was deeply upset after she was searched by a lady teacher as a male teacher walked in, tried to commit suicide by consuming formalin.

The minister, after visiting the girl, who is now admitted to the Medical College hospital here, said, ”The letter to the education department to conduct an inquiry would be sent out today itself.”

She said that all the expenses for the treatment for the girl would be met by the state government.

The school, run by the Latin Catholic Church with financial aid of the state government, is situated near the Thiruvananthapuram international airport.

However, the school authorities claimed that she was only searched and not stripped and searched. Local police registered a case against the girl for attempt to suicide and are probing the events.

The girl’s father is no more, while her mother works in the Middle-East and she resides with her grandmother near the school.

Meanwhile, the State Women’s Commission is also going ahead with an investigation into the charges.