Police in Mumbai have initiated legal action against the principal of a prominent convent school following disturbing allegations of physical assault on a Class 10 student. The incident, which reportedly occurred during a school event meant to celebrate Children's Day, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about child safety in educational institutions.
Sequence of Events Leading to the FIR
According to an official from the Vakola police station, the unfortunate episode unfolded last week during a Children's Day celebration at an English medium school located in the Kalina area. A student from Class 10 was participating in the event when the principal allegedly became angry with him over an unspecified issue. The official stated that the principal instructed the pupil to report to his office.
The situation escalated from there. The school head is accused of forcing the young student to sit outside his office cabin for a period exceeding two hours. Following this prolonged isolation, the principal confronted the boy, launching into a loud tirade. He allegedly began shouting at the student, accusing him of breaking a school chair approximately 15 days prior to the incident.
The Alleged Assault and Police Intervention
When the pupil courageously denied the allegation of damaging the chair, the principal's response was reportedly violent. The police official confirmed that the principal allegedly assaulted the student at this point. After enduring the ordeal, the traumatized student returned home and recounted the entire incident to his family members.
Outraged by the treatment meted out to their child, the family formally lodged a complaint with the authorities on Monday. Acting swiftly on this complaint, the Vakola police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused principal on the same day.
Legal Charges and Implications
The legal framework invoked in this case is significant. The FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific charges pressed against the principal include Section 115-2 for voluntarily causing hurt and Section 351-2 for criminal intimidation.
Furthermore, recognizing the vulnerability of the victim, the police have also included relevant provisions of the Child Protection Act in the chargesheet. This multi-pronged legal approach underscores the gravity of the accusations, which combine physical harm with psychological intimidation of a minor within a school's premises.
