Principal says severe pneumonia and a long-standing medical condition were the primary causes; child was placed on ventilator before death

Agra, August 22, 2026: The administration of SN Medical College, Agra, has issued a clarification regarding the death of 10-year-old Umar, following reports linking his death to an incident involving falling ceiling plaster at the hospital.

The college administration has categorically stated that Umar’s death was not caused by the falling plaster incident. According to Principal Dr. Prashant Gupta, the child had been suffering from a long-standing medical condition and severe pneumonia, which were the primary causes of his death.

Child had a history of seizures since infancy

Dr. Gupta said Umar, son of Aamir and a resident of Nasirabad Colony, Agra, had been experiencing seizures since around the age of five months. At approximately 11 months of age, he was diagnosed with West Syndrome at AIIMS, New Delhi.

The child had also suffered from long-standing developmental delay and was unable to sit or stand independently.

Admitted in critical condition

Umar was admitted to the emergency department of SN Medical College at around 9:37 pm on August 19, after suffering from fever for four days and worsening breathing difficulties.

According to the hospital, his condition was extremely critical at the time of admission and he was also found to have anemia. Blood tests, a chest X-ray and CT scan, among other investigations, were conducted.

He was placed on high-flow oxygen support and received a blood transfusion. Doctors also administered high-level antibiotics for severe pneumonia and multiple anticonvulsant medicines to control his seizures.

Condition deteriorated despite treatment

Despite intensive treatment, the child’s condition gradually worsened due to severe pneumonia and recurrent seizures. He was placed on a ventilator at around 7 pm on August 21 and was given necessary life-saving medications.

Despite the efforts of the medical team, Umar died at around 6 am on August 22.

Family declined post-mortem

The college administration said that the family was repeatedly requested to consent to a post-mortem examination, but they declined in writing.

Principal: Plaster incident had no connection with death

Dr. Prashant Gupta said some media reports had linked the child’s death to the ceiling plaster incident of August 21.

He termed such reports “factually incorrect, untrue and baseless”, maintaining that the plaster incident had no connection with Umar’s death.

The college administration reiterated that the child’s death was primarily attributed to his long-standing medical condition and severe pneumonia, and not to the falling plaster incident.