Chandigarh, 26 May 2025-The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suomotu cognizance of an incident involving alleged assault by a teacher on a Class 11 student, and has issued strict directions for action. The suomotu case, numbered 913/7/2025, pertains to a private school in District Jhajjar, where, according to a news report, a teacher—Mr.Sonu alias R.S. Rathor—allegedly assaulted a student, resulting in a fractured hand.
The student was admitted to a hospital run by the same educational group. Shockingly, the student’s family was reportedly mistreated and intimidated by the school staff when they visited the hospital. The incident reflects not only physical violence but also mental trauma and institutional negligence, constituting a serious violation of the fundamental rights of children. The police have registered a case under the BharatiyaNyayaSanhita and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The Full Commission, comprising Chairperson Justice LalitBatra and Members Mr.Kuldip Jain and Mr. Deep Bhatia, has expressed deep concern over the physical and emotional trauma suffered by the student. The Commission noted that this is not an isolated incident of violence but points to a systemic failure in ensuring student safety and monitoring staff conduct. Reports of intimidation faced by the victim’s family further aggravate the seriousness of the matter. Such behaviour undermines trust in educational institutions and damages the sanctity of the teacher-student relationship. Therefore, the Commission deemed it necessary to implement immediate corrective, protective, and preventive measures.
The Commission’s preliminary view, under the leadership of Justice LalitBatra, is that the reported facts indicate a serious violation of the fundamental rights to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which encompasses dignity, mental well-being, and protection from abuse. The incident also clearly violates Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which prohibit cruelty and corporal punishment against children. Moreover, it contravenes Articles 19 and 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which call for safeguarding children from all forms of physical or mental violence and ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. The matter demands immediate and thorough investigation to protect the rights of the victim and ensure accountability.
Without expressing any opinion on the merits at this preliminary stage, the Haryana Human Rights Commission issues the following directions:
- The Superintendent of Police, District Jhajjar, shall ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly, transparently, and in a time-bound manner under his direct supervision. A status report including statements of relevant parties and medical records must be submitted to the Commission within four weeks from the date of the order.
- The District Education Officer, Jhajjar, is directed to conduct an urgent institutional audit of the concerned school. The audit shall examine:
- Whether a functional Child Protection Policy is in place;
- Whether grievance redressal mechanisms exist for students and parents;
- Whether internal disciplinary mechanisms for staff misconduct are effectively implemented.
Dr.PuneetArora, Protocol, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Haryana Human Rights Commission, stated that the Full Commission has viewed this incident as a reflection of the deepening disorder in educational institutions. It is not merely about one student, but calls into question the accountability of the entire educational system. As per the directions of the Commission chaired by Justice LalitBatra, reports on the matter have been sought from the Superintendent of Police, Jhajjar and the District Education Officer, Jhajjar. These reports are to be submitted before the next date of hearing, scheduled for 8 July 2025.
