A tragic incident in Maharashtra has left a community in mourning after a 16-year-old student died following extreme physical punishment at his school. The young victim, identified as Adarsh Shyamsunder Shrivastav, collapsed after being forced to complete 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late to class.
The Fatal Punishment Incident
The incident occurred on November 18, 2024, at Dr. B. S. Ambedkar Memorial School in Chandrapur district. According to reports, Adarsh arrived late to his physical education class around 2:30 PM. The physical education teacher, Prafull Ramteke, allegedly ordered the teenager to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment for his tardiness.
Witnesses reported that Adarsh completed the strenuous exercise but immediately collapsed afterward. The school staff rushed him to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandrapur, where doctors declared him brought dead. The postmortem report confirmed that the excessive physical exertion directly contributed to the student's sudden death.
Legal Action and Arrest
Following the incident, Adarsh's family filed a formal complaint with the local police. The Chandrapur police promptly registered a case against teacher Prafull Ramteke under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Police officials confirmed that the accused teacher was arrested on November 19, 2024, and is currently in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining whether the school had any policies regarding corporal punishment and if similar incidents had occurred previously.
Community Outrage and Education System Concerns
The tragic death has sparked widespread outrage among parents, education activists, and local community members. Many are questioning the continued practice of corporal punishment in educational institutions despite clear guidelines against it.
Adarsh was described as a bright student with a promising future ahead of him. His untimely death has left his family devastated and raised serious concerns about student safety in schools. Education officials have launched a separate inquiry into the incident and are reviewing safety protocols across schools in the region.
This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter implementation of anti-corporal punishment laws and better training for educators regarding appropriate disciplinary methods. The case has reignited the debate about physical punishment in educational settings and the protection of students' rights in India.
