Right’s panel orders Haryana school principal, who ‘slapped’ Class 12 girl, to undergo training on child rights

HHRC, in its order dated April 1, also directed the District Education Officer, Charkhi Dadri, to conduct a “formal inquiry” and directed Aryans Model School to “immediately reinstate the student without further disruption”.

It was alleged that the student was suspended without any written notice, “causing severe distress and disruption to her education”.

Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Lalit Batra, HHRC chairperson, stressed the “importance of ensuring safe and respectful education environment for all children”.

HHRC’s directives highlighted violations of key constitutional and legal provisions including “Article 21 and 21A of the Constitution – Right to Life with dignity and Right to education; Section 17, Right to Education Act, 2009 – Prohibition of corporal punishment and mental harassment; and UN convention on the Rights of the Child – India’s commitment to child protection”.

Dr Puneet Arora, HHRC’s protocol and information officer, said, “the matter is now listed for next hearing on May 5 with strict instructions for both the DEO and principal to appear in person with reports and explanations”.

Meanwhile, school principal Vikram Singh told The Indian Express that the issue has been sorted, while reiterating that he has not slapped the student. Singh said the student was reinstated and that she had taken her board examinations.

“The student was irregular in attending the school, for which we informed her and her parents that her regular absence from the school was causing indiscipline for other students, as well. She was not slapped, but she and her parents alleged that. The matter was pursued by at the level of district administration and both the sides – school and the student – and the matter has already been resolved”.

Regarding HHRC’s directions, Vikram Singh added, “The student’s parents had written a mail to everybody from top to bottom. It might have now come to the notice of HHRC for which they have issued such directions. But the matter has already been resolved”.