Taking suo moto cognizance into the reported hospitalization of a government school student in Delhi after being severely beaten by a teacher, the NHRC National Human Rights Commision) has issued notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary and the Police Commissioner. In its notices, the NHRC has sought a detailed report on the matter from the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, within four weeks. Notably, following the incident, parents of the students have registered an FIR but the police are yet to make any arrests.
The commission has also raised concerns over the continuation of incidents of corporal punishments with impunity, despite several legislations. The commission also stated that if the media reports around the incident stand true, the incident amounts to human rights violation.
The commission has further stated that the report from the Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Police should include key details pertaining to the matter like the steps taken against the teacher, status of the FIR registered in the case, the victim’s health status, and compensation paid to the aggrieved family, if any. The commission further underlined to include the roadmap to ensure the elimination of such incidents in the future, in the report.
Issuing the notices, the commission further underlined that the National Children Policy 2013 asks the state to ensure that no child is subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment, and promote positive engagement to foster discipline and offer a healthy learning experience to students.
In a press release announcing the issue of notices, the NHRC stated that the Section 17 (1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 expressly bans subjecting a child to mental harassment or physical punishment. Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, also prohibits cruelty to children and classifies it as a punishable offence, the NHRC further stated.
Notably, the incident of a government school student being severely beaten by a teacher surfaced through various media reports. The victim's father alleged that the teacher slapped the student and wrenched his neck. Although the student did not inform his family about the incident, on the next day, when the swelling persisted, the family of the student started inquiring about things which exposed the brutality of the teacher. The student was later admitted to a hospital and an FIR was registered.
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