Boy 'punished' at school function in Panipat; principal told to submit report
After the media reports alleging that a trainee deputy superintendent of police punished a student at a government school function, the district education officer on Thursday asked the principal to submit a detailed report.
After the media reports alleging that a trainee deputy superintendent of police punished a student at a government school function, the district education officer on Thursday asked the principal to submit a detailed report.
On Wednesday, a newspaper had carried a report showing a student sitting on his haunches and holding his ears as punishment at school.
Deputy commissioner Mona Sriniwas told Hindustan Times on Thursday that she was aware of the media reports, but in the absence of any complaint to her office, no inquiry had been initiated.
However, district education officer (DEO) Asha Munjhal said the principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Bhapoli, where the alleged incident took place on August 21, has been asked to submit a detailed report.
Newly appointed DSP Tanya Surjewala, posted as station house officer at Bhapoli police station, near here, was invited as the chief guest at a function. As she reached the function to deliver a speech, a group of students allegedly started giggling, following which she allegedly punished a Class-10 student.
The student, who comes from a family of daily wagers from Dharampur village, was allegedly made to remain in this posture till the DSP finished her speech.
Principal Sukhjinder Kaur and block elementary education officer (BEEO) Surinder Malik were present at the function.
Surjewala denied that she had punished the student and termed the news report as false.
Principal Kaur claimed on Thursday that the DSP tried to give symbolic punishment to the erring student but the teaching staff intervened and he was not punished.
"As the DSP asked the erring boy to apologise for disturbing the gathering, the boy started pulling his ears. Some photojournalists took the photographs and termed it as a punishment. He was not subjected to any punishment and the episode was blown out of proportion," claims the principal.
BEEO Malik claimed that he had left the venue for an official work and was not aware of the development.
Meanwhile, PP Kapoor, a rights activist from Samalkha, has complained to the Commission for Protection of Child Rights and demanded action against the DSP, principal and the BEEO, in whose presence the student was allegedly punished.
It was unfortunate that even after two days of the reported incident, the district administration had not intervened, Kapoor said.