Gandhinagar teacher sentenced to 3 years after slaps rupture Class 9 girl’s eardrum

In all, the court examined 10 witnesses, including the girl student, her parents, and two doctors.
The court rejected the teacher’s defences like a delay in registering the FIR, independent witnesses not supporting the case, and the absence of documentary or electronic proof.

The teacher also claimed that the student’s parents had complained to the police after she complained to them that the girl was not doing her homework and acting on her whims.

At the time of deciding the quantum of punishment for the teacher, her advocate sought the minimum punishment. “The accused is suffering from cancer, and giving stricter punishment would deter teachers from disciplining students,” the advocate said.

While pronouncing the sentence, the court observed, “The Court is of the view that the offence involved three major factors, namely, (i) abuse of authority by a teacher, (ii) serious physical injury to a minor child, and (c) long-term medical consequences. Such factors outweigh mitigating circumstances…Moreover, no documentary evidence in support of the cancer ailment has been brought on record. The Court is conscious of the fact that the maximum punishment prescribed for the offences under which the accused has been convicted is of Seven (7) years. However, imposing punishment below the maximum prescribed reflects a balanced approach.”

Assistant Public Prosecutor Hasmukh Choudhary said the girl was still undergoing treatment for her injury.