CHANDIGARH: The principal and driver of a private school in Sonipat have been arrested for brutally thrashing a class 2 student. The child was allegedly strung upside down and beaten, to teach him a lesson for not doing his homework.The incident happened on August 22 but the parents and others came to know when a video surfaced on social media. The arrested duo was presented in court, which remanded them in police custody. The school was running illegally, say officials.Panipat deputy commissioner Virender Dahiya has directed the district education officer (DEO) and Panipat SP Bhupinder Singh to counsel all students and their parents so that they are relocated to nearby recognised schools. Haryana education minister Mahipal Dhanda ordered officials to ensure that no illegal schools operate across the state.
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Enquiries revealed that the school was served notices a number of times, but no action was taken against them.On Aug 22, the principal, identified by police as Reena, ordered driver Ajay to “set a boy right” because of complaints about homework. Ajay allegedly took him to a room, hanged him upside down, and slapped him. He clicked some pictures and videos, which he later shared with some of his acquaintances. These videos eventually reached the boy’s mother, who approached police on Saturday.After verification of the case, police arrested Reena and Ajay. During interrogation, the duo confessed to the crime. The principal has also confessed to thrashing two more boys, which too was caught on camera, say police.“Reena and Ajay are in our custody and will be produced in court. Investigations are in progress,” said Panipat SP Bhupinder Singh. Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC), led by Justice (retd) Lalit Batra, took cognisance and summoned top officials for a first-hand account.
