The delay in providing counselling to the students involved in the slapping case, where a Muslim student was slapped by fellow students at the urging of the teacher, prompted the Supreme Court to reprimand the UP government.
A bench comprising Justice A S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed dissatisfaction with the delay despite earlier directives.
The incident, which occurred in August 2023, implicated a schoolteacher who purportedly instructed students in her class to slap a fellow Muslim student for failing to complete homework. Subsequently, she faced legal action for her alleged misconduct.
In response to the gravity of the situation, the court had assigned the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to offer counselling to the affected children and engage expert child counsellors.
However, as of the recent court session, held on Friday, the bench found the counselling process had not commenced as per TISS recommendations.
Justice Oka remarked, "It is not reflected, it is not being done," highlighting the apparent lack of progress. He emphasized the importance of implementing TISS suggestions and utilizing recommended institutions' assistance promptly.
Garima Prashad, the Additional Advocate General representing the Uttar Pradesh government, acknowledged that while the progress might not be evident in the state's response, the counselling process had indeed commenced.
The court, however, remained resolute in its stance, emphasizing the urgent need for compliance with its directives and ordered the state to furnish a comprehensive report on the matter.
The Supreme Court scheduled the next hearing for March 1.