HHRC takes cognisance of school’s alleged abuse of 11-year-old girl in Sonepat

The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly punished with 50 push-ups and made to clean the UKG classroom floor by the school principal, along with being publicly humiliated for not doing her homework at a private school in Ridhana village, Sonepat. It is alleged that UKG students were asked to chant “shame, shame” targeting the girl. Additionally, the school principal allegedly threatened to shave off the girl’s hair if she failed to complete her homework in the future.

These actions are stated to have caused severe psychological trauma to the child, rendering her unable to attend school and requiring psychological treatment, observed the HHRC. The commission added that if established, the alleged actions would directly violate the right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to dignity and protection from inhuman or degrading treatment, as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution. Furthermore, it violated Article 14, which guarantees the right to equality and ensures protection from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), India is obligated to protect children from all forms of physical and mental violence, said the commission. The commission held that the treatment alleged in the complaint constituted a clear violation of the basic human rights of the minor child, including the right to education, protection from mental and physical abuse, and dignity.

The child’s mental health and future development are at serious risk, and immediate remedial steps must be taken to protect her and prevent similar incidents in other institutions. The commission directed the District Education Officer (DEO), Sonepat, to submit a detailed report on the school’s existing disciplinary policy, administrative steps taken after the complaint, records of any prior complaints or disciplinary actions in the school, the status of registration of the case under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, if any, and specific steps taken to ensure child protection and safety in the school.

The commission also directed the Commissioner of Police (CP), Sonepat, to submit a detailed report on the registration of the FIR, the status of the police investigation, involvement and statements of the school administration, and any action taken under the JJ Act. A copy of the order was to be sent to the Principal Secretary, School Education, Haryana, as well as to the DEO and CP of Sonepat.