Teacher snips student’s hair for unbuttoned shirt

Aishwary Mali, a Class 9 student at a Panvel school, was hospitalised after being injured by his Physical Training teacher, who used a pair of scissors to cut his hair and clothes as punishment, reports G Mohiuddin Jeddy.

Aishwary Mali, a Class 9 student at a Panvel school, was hospitalised after being injured by his Physical Training teacher, who used a pair of scissors to cut his hair and clothes as punishment.

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Lalita Singh (30), whom the school has suspended, was arrested on Saturday and later released on bail.

The incident happened on Thursday at Barns High School and Junior College. “During PT period, when I was going to drink water, the teacher called me over to the ground. She scolded me saying my collar was unbuttoned,” said Mali (14).

“She then took me to the office, where she used a scissor to cut my hair from both sides, as well as my shirt collar. She even pulled my tie, almost strangling me, then cut the tie as well.”

Mali said that while she was doing this, “the scissor cut my cheek and neck area. I was bleeding but she didn’t do anything about it. She told me if I thought I could get away with things because my father is a powerful man, I was wrong.”

He said he was released after about 15 minutes. His incensed father Bhimsen, a local NCP leader, said: “My son was unwell for a couple of days and went to school only on Thursday. This punishment is inhuman.”

He added: “At night, he had high fever. The doctor said he was in trauma.”

Later at night the boy was taken to Panvel Rural Hospital, where the doctors confirmed mental trauma, but have now said the boy has recovered well.

“A day after conducting an inquiry on Friday, we suspended the teacher,” said school Principal Mangala Kulkarni. “We do not condone such acts.”

“After recording the child’s statement, we arrested Singh on Saturday. She has been released on bail,” said Police Inspector (Crime) Ahmed Pathan of Panvel police station.

Singh could not be reached for comment.