Mumbai: 2 teachers booked for slapping class 5 student

The Antop Hill police have registered a case against two teachers of Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School after the parents of a 9-year-old student complained their daughter was slapped as punishment for remaining absent from school.

The Antop Hill police have registered a case against two teachers of Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School, GTB Nagar, Sion, after the parents of a nine-year-old student complained their daughter was slapped as punishment for remaining absent from school.

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The incident took place on Wednesday after the teacher had reprimanded the girl for poor attendance and slapped her.

“Our daughter came home crying on Wednesday afternoon. She was in pain as she had sprained her arm, she told us that the teacher had twisted it,” said the girl’s father. “We took her to Sion Hospital for treatment.”

The girl had missed a few days of school recently as she was unwell. Her parents said that they had submitted a medical certificate to the school to explain her absence. She also missed school last Tuesday. “Our daughter was not playing truant, she missed school with our permission. The teacher had no right to hit her,” said the father.

The parents have also alleged that another teacher had slapped the child in the past.

According to Section 17 (1) of the Right to Education Act, no child should be subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment. It entails disciplinary action under service rules. In 2000, the Supreme Court had also banned corporal punishment.

“Acting on the complaint, we have registered a case against two teachers under relevant sections of IPC and Juvenile Justice Act. We will seek permission from the court to arrest the accused,” said Sanjay Surve, senior inspector, Antop Hill police station.

The parents also complained to the school authorities. “The parents briefed us about the incident, but we have never received such complaints against her [the teacher] in the past” said Madhavi Naik, school principal.

“She is one of our best teachers,” said Naik, adding that the teacher had been with the school for more than 10 years.

The school management is speaking to the teacher and will decide on the course of action.