Corporal Punishment Case: Panipat School Principal, Cab Driver Arrested

By Sarhind Times Haryana Bureau

Panipat, Sept 30

A shocking case of alleged corporal punishment in Panipat has jolted the education community, as Haryana Police arrested a private school principal and a transport driver after reports that a child was beaten and hung upside down.

The incident, confirmed by police late Sunday, has triggered widespread condemnation from parents’ associations, child rights activists, and education officials. The state government has promised swift action under student safety laws, the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, and school recognition norms.

🚨 The Allegation

According to preliminary findings:

The child was allegedly assaulted physically within school premises.
Reports suggest he was hung upside down by the driver, allegedly with the tacit approval of the principal.
Fellow students reportedly witnessed the act, spreading fear among classmates.

Immediate Police Action

Arrests: Both the principal and the cab driver have been taken into custody.
Charges: Police have invoked provisions of the JJ Act, IPC sections on assault, and relevant education laws.
Medical Report: Doctors are compiling a full assessment of injuries.
Investigation: CCTV footage, staff testimonies, and compliance records are being reviewed.

A senior officer told Sarhind Times:

“This act is not just an ethical breach but a criminal one. Accountability will be fixed at every level.”

Administration Steps In

The district administration has initiated a two-pronged review:

School Recognition Compliance: Records under the JJ Act and Right to Education Act being scrutinized.
Transport Permits: The cab service’s permits may be suspended or canceled if culpability is proven.

Counselors have been assigned to the child’s family for psychological support, acknowledging that trauma often outlasts physical injuries.

Widespread Condemnation

Parents’ Associations: Condemned the incident, demanding suspension of school recognition.
Child-Rights Activists: Called for stronger enforcement of zero-tolerance policies against corporal punishment.
Educators: Expressed concern that non-teaching staff lack training in handling children.

Larger Debate on School Safety

The incident has reopened critical debates:

CCTV Coverage: Need for random audits of footage in corridors and bus bays.
Non-Teaching Staff Training: Drivers, helpers, and guards often lack orientation in child behavior management.
Grievance Redressal: Parents argue that complaint systems in many schools are symbolic, not functional.
Inspections: Calls for random government inspections of private schools, not just self-certification.

Expert Commentary

Child Psychologist, Rohtak:

“The trauma of being humiliated in front of peers can scar a child for years. Beyond arrests, rehabilitation for the child must be prioritized.”

Education Policy Analyst:

“Transport staff are often outsourced and barely vetted. Mandatory child-protection training and accountability clauses must be part of contracts.”

Past Cases as Precedent

2018, Gurugram: A school bus conductor was arrested for assault on a minor.
2020, Bhiwani: Teacher suspended for corporal punishment caught on CCTV.
2022, Delhi-NCR: Several cases of physical abuse led to directives for stricter audits of school safety norms.

Each case has added momentum to calls for a national monitoring framework for school safety.

Legal Framework

JJ Act (2015): Protects children from cruelty, with imprisonment/fines for violators.
RTE Act (2009): Explicitly bans corporal punishment in schools.
POCSO Act: May apply if harassment has broader dimensions.

Legal experts stress that schools can face loss of recognition, fines, and criminal liability.

Conclusion

The Panipat corporal punishment case has exposed glaring lapses in both school accountability and regulatory enforcement. While police action against the principal and driver is swift, activists stress that true justice lies in systemic reforms — from stricter audits to staff training and zero-tolerance enforcement.

For now, one child’s trauma has become a rallying point for parents and policymakers alike. The unanswered question is whether this outrage will lead to lasting change in how schools safeguard their students.

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