Jharkhand: A Class 12 student in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district has died after spending a month in a coma, following an alleged slap from her school’s principal for wearing a slipper instead of shoes, police said.
The incident took place on September 15, when Divya Kumari attended the school assembly wearing a slipper, which violated the institution’s dress code. Principal (In-charge) Droupadi Minz allegedly scolded and slapped the student for not following the rules, a police officer said.
Though Divya initially appeared fine, she later fell ill due to depression. After receiving initial treatment at a hospital in Daltonganj, she was referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, where she died during treatment.
Her parents filed a complaint with the Bargarh police station, prompting outrage among her family and villagers. Protestors staged a road blockade at Tehri Bhandaria Chowk, placing her body on the road and demanding the arrest of the principal, alleging that Divya’s death was caused by mental torture.
Police and district administration officials intervened, urging protestors to lift the blockade and assuring that action would be taken against those responsible. The blockade disrupted road traffic for over three hours.
The principal declined to comment on the incident.
With PTI inputs