The judicial registrar of the High Court on Tuesday directed the Police Commissioner of Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the death of a sixth-grade student from Vasai. The girl reportedly died after she was made to do 100 sit-ups with her schoolbag on her back for arriving ten minutes late to school.
A woman lawyer had written a letter to the Chief Justice, demanding that he take suo motu cognizance of the matter and order an inquiry into the matter. Taking cognizance of this letter, the Judicial Registrar of the High Court issued the above order. The judicial registrar has directed the Police Commissioners of Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayander, as well as senior officials of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, to investigate the matter as per the law and to provide the concerned woman advocate with the details of the inquiry at the earliest.
Kajal Gaud, a sixth-grade girl, and some other students were punished with 100 slaps on their backs for arriving late to school on November 8. After returning home from school, Kajal started suffering from back pain. Initially, she was admitted to a hospital in Vasai, then as her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to JJ Hospital. However, she died on November 14.
Advocate Swapna Kode had written to the Chief Justice regarding the matter. Also, although the local police are investigating the matter, no case has been registered in this regard yet nor has any action been taken against the accused. However, according to media reports, the school administration was aware of Kajal's illness and had asked her parents to treat her. However, the school administration is claiming that the female teacher concerned was not aware that Kajal was among those who punished her.
Therefore, the Chief Justice should take cognizance of the incident himself. Kode also demanded that a notice be issued to the state government and the state Director General of Police ordering the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expeditiously investigate Kajal's death and the illegal operations of the school. They also demanded through the letter that a case be registered against the school management and the teacher concerned.
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