Himachal HC issues notice on schoolchild's plea

The Himachal Pradesh High Court Monday issued notice to the state on a petition of standard VIII student Ayush Bragta who had jumped off the school building last month.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on the plea of the petitioner who alleged a police cover up to shield the school authorities.

The student has alleged that three teachers of Glory International Public School in Shimla's Rohru town had beaten him up mercilessly, prompting him to jump off the building to save himself.

He also alleged that the police was hand in glove with the school authorities and had not carried out investigation to arrest the accused.

The petitioner requested the high court to transfer investigation to an investigating officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police and to direct the superintendent of police to personally oversee the investigation.

The court directed the secretary (home) and the director general of police to file reply before the next date of hearing Dec 17.