The management committee of JK International School appeared in front of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) bench regarding the case of corporal punishment in the school where a 16 year old student was admitted to hospital after being beaten up by the principal.
Chairperson of CWC Ranchi, Rupa Kumari said, “We have directed the committee to give us in writing about the steps being taken by them against the principal and for helping the aggrieved student.”
Meanwhile, despite summoned twice, principal of the school Sanjay Kumar Singh, did not appear in front of the bench.
Kumari said, “The school management committee informed us that they have suspended the principal for his action and are taking care of the medical expenses of the child. They will submit the same in writing to us within two days.”
The committee will once again be sending summon to appear in front of the bench, failing which the principal might be arrested for contempt of court.
On August 21, the 16-year-old student of class 10 arrived five minutes late to the school, following which the principal slapped the boy, leading to blood clot in his ears and damage of eardrum. The boy, a resident of Gumla, used to stay in a hostel at Ranchi.
Grandfather of the boy lodged an FIR with the Ratu police station against the principal on August 22. When the reports were published in vernacular dailies, CWC took suo motu cognizance of the case and summoned the school management committee.
The boy has gone back to his hometown Gumla, where he is undergoing treatment. CWC Ranchi has directed its counterpart in Gumla to counsel the boy and submit a report accordingly following which further action will be taken by the Ranchi bench.
“We have formed a committee headed by district child protection officer to investigate the issue at school level,” Kumari said.
If found guilty, the principal may have to face the punishment of rigorous imprisonment of three to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh under section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act, which talks about punishment in case of cruelty on child.