In a significant ruling today, the Supreme Court has ordered the appointment of a senior IPS officer to oversee the investigation into a deeply troubling incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar. If the allegations are true, the Court stated that it should shock the state’s conscience. The case involves a shocking act where a seven-year-old student was repeatedly slapped by his classmates under the instruction of their teacher. The Court has rightly called this a matter of the right to life, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
This horrific incident came to light when a video of the assault went viral, causing widespread outrage. The distressing video showed the young student crying while his classmates took turns to slap him, all while the teacher encouraged them to hit him hard. The Court has taken this matter seriously and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure professional counseling for the victim and the students involved.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the case until October 30 and has requested the UP government to provide a compliance report on the counseling process and take responsibility for the victim child’s education.
Furthermore, the Court raised concerns about the content of the First Information Report (FIR), which did not include the allegations made by the child’s father. The father had claimed that his son was beaten due to his religion, but this aspect was not reflected in the FIR. The Court emphasized the importance of quality education, which includes sensitive education, and saw this as a failure on the part of the UP government to comply with provisions of the Right to Education Act.
The UP government has downplayed the communal aspect of the case, despite the father’s claims. This adds another layer of complexity to an already troubling incident.
On September 6, the Supreme Court had previously issued a notice to the UP government, seeking a report from the District Superintendent of Police regarding the actions taken against the accused and measures to protect the child’s family.
The accused, a 60-year-old teacher who also serves as the principal of Muzaffarnagar’s Neha Public School, Tripta Tyagi, initially showed no remorse for her actions. However, she later released a video message expressing regret for her actions and emphasizing that she had no communal motives behind her actions. She sought forgiveness with folded hands.
This incident has drawn condemnation from politicians across party lines, with many characterizing it as a hate crime and directing their criticism toward the ruling BJP government in the state. It highlights the need for swift and effective action to address such incidents and ensure the safety and well-being of students, regardless of their background.
