Teacher Held Responsible for Student's Tragic Death
Police in Vasai have arrested a school teacher following the tragic death of a 12-year-old student who was subjected to physical punishment for arriving late to school. The incident has sent shockwaves through the educational community and raised serious questions about disciplinary practices in schools.
Mamta Yadav, the accused teacher, was taken into custody by the Valiv police station on Wednesday and charged with culpable homicide and cruelty to a child. Following her arrest, she was produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues.
The Fatal Punishment Incident
The unfortunate sequence of events began on November 8 when a group of students, including the victim Anshika Gaud, arrived late at their Vasai school. As punishment, the teacher allegedly forced the students to perform approximately 100 sit-ups. According to statements from other parents whose children witnessed the incident, the students completed over 90 sit-ups before being allowed to return to their classrooms.
Later that day, Anshika returned home feeling unwell and immediately fell asleep. Her condition gradually worsened throughout the day, with her parents noting she began experiencing difficulty breathing. The family first rushed her to a local hospital, but when her condition failed to improve, she was transferred to Mumbai's prestigious JJ Hospital for advanced medical care.
Tragically, Anshika Gaud passed away on November 15, exactly one week after the punishment incident. Her parents have directly blamed both the teacher and the school administration for their daughter's death, citing that Anshika had a pre-existing medical condition that may have been aggravated by the strenuous physical activity.
School Faces Additional Scrutiny Over Authorization
In the wake of this tragedy, the Vasai school has come under additional scrutiny for allegedly operating classes beyond its authorized capacity. Local education authorities confirmed that the school only has approval to operate up to Class 8, yet it has been reportedly running Classes 9 and 10.
Local residents revealed that students typically study at the school until Class 10, but must register at different institutions to appear for their board examinations. When confronted with these allegations, School Principal Vikas Yadav denied any wrongdoing, stating, "We merely run tuition for classes 9 and 10 for our own students and not full-time school."
However, Secondary Education Officer Ashok Patil confirmed that the education department has sent a formal notice to the school seeking a detailed explanation about the unauthorized classes. The incident has prompted the school education department to order a comprehensive inquiry into both the circumstances leading to Anshika's death and the school's operational practices.
This tragic case has highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulations regarding corporal punishment in schools and more rigorous oversight of educational institutions operating beyond their authorized capacities.
