States » NorthPosted at: Oct 31 2026 4:52PM

Panchkula school assault sparks protests, rights panels intervene

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Oct 31 (UNI) The alleged brutal assault of a six-year-old kindergarten girl by a Class III student at a government school in Haryana's Panchkula triggered protests by angry parents on Saturday, prompting intervention by two rights commissions and a government inquiry into possible negligence by school authorities.
The girl, who suffered facial injuries and fractures to her nasal and facial bones, is undergoing treatment at PGIMER Chandigarh.
Doctors said her condition is stable and she is out of danger.
The incident at a Government School in Sector 20 has raised serious concerns over classroom supervision, student safety and the monitoring of CCTV cameras.
Parents gathered outside the school on Saturday afternoon, raising slogans against the principal and accusing the administration of negligence. As tensions escalated, school authorities closed the main gate and called the police, who attempted to pacify the protesters.
Haryana Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice Lalit Batra visited the school and examined the circumstances surrounding the assault.
"We have taken cognisance of the matter. If negligence is found on the part of any teacher, principal or other school official, recommendations for appropriate action will be sent to the government," Batra said.
According to accounts of CCTV footage, the Class III student allegedly assaulted the girl for approximately 96 seconds, repeatedly kicking and punching her, dragging her by the hair and striking her head against a bench.
Reports describing the footage alleged that the boy also struck the girl 12 times with a brick and delivered 19 kicks or other blows. These details could not be independently verified.
The incident came to light when the driver who normally picked up the girl from school could not locate her.
Her uncle alleged that the student accused of the assault eventually showed family members where the injured girl was lying. She was initially taken to the civil hospital before being referred to PGIMER Chandigarh.
Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda said the government had constituted a headquarters-level committee to investigate the incident and identify those responsible for any lapses.
"I have watched the video. It is difficult even to watch it completely," Dhanda said.
He said the inquiry report was expected by Saturday evening or Sunday morning, following which appropriate action would be initiated.
"If negligence is found, no one will be spared," the minister said.
Meanwhile, the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took suo motu cognisance of the incident and issued a notice to the Panchkula District Education Officer, seeking a detailed report on the assault and action taken by the authorities.
Commission Chairperson Tripti Haripal Sheoran visited PGIMER, met the victim's family and reviewed her medical condition.
She expressed concern over the possible long-term psychological impact of the assault, emphasising that the child would require emotional support and counselling alongside medical treatment.
Police said they had received a complaint from the girl's family and were examining the incident.
Since the accused student is a minor, investigators have sought opinions from doctors and psychologists before proceeding further.
The incident has intensified demands for accountability and stronger safety measures in government schools, with parents questioning how such a prolonged assault could take place without intervention by teachers or other school staff.
The findings of the government inquiry and the rights commissions are expected to determine whether administrative negligence contributed to the incident and what action should follow.
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Tags: #Panchkula school assault sparks protests # rights panels intervene

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