In a shocking case of corporal punishment, the Orissa High Court ordered ₹1 lakh compensation to the family of a student, who died after doing 300 sit-ups as punishment, from the teacher.
About the case
A teacher in Odisha reportedly punished the student to do sit-ups 300 times on October 23, 2019. The student later fell ill because of the punishment and then after 9-10 days, the boy died on November 2 in 2019. The death was later ruled to be caused by meningitis, according to a medical report.
Court's decision
The parents of the student made a complaint against the teacher after he died, accusing him of cruelty under Section 82 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015. Nonetheless, the Orissa High Court noted that corporal punishment administered to maintain discipline is not an offence under this section, after examining the case.
Though the court quashed criminal proceedings against the teacher, it noted the family’s loss and directed the teacher to pay ₹1 lakh as ex-gratia compensation to the bereaved family.
This case has made a serious look into corporal punishment in school. Even though some teachers continue to use corporal punishment, this is a sad reminder that schools should be a safe environment, where discipline is administered in a way that does not threaten students' lives.
This ruling illustrates that schools should use rehabilitation instead of punitive, violent measures to keep classrooms safe for all students.
