In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about child safety in educational institutions, a 55-year-old woman employed as an ayah at a private school in Hyderabad was arrested for brutally assaulting a four-year-old student. The arrest took place on Saturday evening in the Jeedimetla suburb following the circulation of a disturbing video of the attack.
Grudge Motivated the Brutal Attack
The accused, identified as Lakshmi, was one of the childcare workers at the school. Police investigations suggest that the assault was driven by a personal grudge Lakshmi held against the child's mother, who is also employed at the same institution. The incident occurred within the school's washroom, where Lakshmi took the young nursery student.
Graphic Video Captures the Violence
The attack, which left the local community in a state of shock, was captured on video by a resident living near the school premises. The footage, which subsequently went viral on social media, shows the ayah engaging in a series of violent acts against the defenseless child.
The video evidence depicts Lakshmi stomping on the girl, banging her head against the floor, throttling her, and slapping her multiple times. This visual proof prompted immediate action from the Jeedimetla police, who were alerted to the crime through the widespread sharing of the clip.
Legal Action and Institutional Failure
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police have booked Lakshmi under relevant sections of the law. The charges include violation of the Juvenile Justice Act and Section 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means.
Furthermore, the school management itself has been implicated for its failure to ensure child safety and for its negligent response. According to police statements, the child's mother had alerted the school authorities about the incident, but her complaints were ignored. It was only after the video went viral and police intervention that the management suspended the accused ayah.
The police have highlighted a critical institutional failure: the school did not inform the District Education Officer (DEO) about the assault. As a consequence, the DEO has initiated a review of the school's permits and operational licenses, which could lead to further administrative action.
Aftermath and Ongoing Review
The four-year-old victim sustained significant injuries from the assault and was subsequently admitted to a hospital for medical treatment. Her current condition has not been detailed in the latest reports.
This case has ignited a fierce debate on the mechanisms for protecting young children in schools and the accountability of educational institutions. The arrest of the ayah is the first step, but the police investigation and the DEO's review of the school's functioning are ongoing processes that will determine further consequences.
