Principal booked after student fractures arm during punishment

Vasudev Sharma, a third grade student of Yuva Shakti day boarding school in Gajansoo, about 18 km from here, was allegedly thrashed by principal Shalinder Singh last week, which resulted in a fracture in his right arm, police said.

"During the preliminary investigations it was learnt that the Principal beat Vasudev and locked him up...We have registered a case against him under section 323 (causing simple injury) and 342 (illegal captivity) of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC)," investigating officer Farid Ahm Ahmed said.

"We are waiting for the x-ray report of the child. If the report clarifies that the boy has a fracture in his arm, the accused can be tried under section 324 (assault resulting in fracture)," he said.

Meanwhile, the school authorities conceded that the boy was beaten up by Shalinder but denied the charge that he broke his arm during the punishment.

"He (Vasudev) used some foul words in the class room and the teacher took him to the principal, who did punish him, but it is incorrect that he received any grievous injury. If that would have been the case he would not have been able to write his test paper," a school official said.

During investigation, the child had told police he was beaten by Shalinder, who later locked him inside a room in the school.

"I said sorry to him (Shalinder) but he did not stop beating me. He told me to bend like a cock and even kicked me. And then he locked me inside a room," Vasudev had said.

Asked how he manged to write his test paper after being beaten, Vasudev said he wrote his paper before he was thrashed.

When contacted, Jammu School Education Director G A Qureshi said, "I have sought a complete report of the case, If found guilty, proper action will be taken against the school."

Zonal Education Officer of the area has visited the school and prepared a report of the incident, officials said.