Chandigarh: Haryana Police have arrested the principal of a private school in Panipat and a bus driver for allegedly assaulting a Class 2 student and tying him upside down to a window.
The incident took place on 13 August at Srijan Public School but came to light only on 27 September, when the driver himself shared a video on social media showing the seven-year-old hanging upside down as he was beaten. Another video showed the principal slapping two children and pulling a student’s ears in front of classmates.
Panipat DSP Satish Vats confirmed the arrest of the school principal, Reena, and driver, Ajay. They have been booked under sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
The principal admitted to slapping students for misbehaviour, claiming she had informed their parents. She also said she had called the driver to scold one child for not completing homework, but was unaware of the physical abuse until the parents raised the issue. Reena told police the driver was dismissed on 30 August after she learnt of his misconduct.
Meanwhile, some parents alleged that the principal frequently subjected students to corporal punishment, including making them clean classroom floors and toilets.