A six-year-old boy has died at a private school in Visakhapatnam, with his family alleging he was beaten by a teacher for not completing his homework, as reported by NDTV.
The family of the child, Pranay Teja, said he collapsed after being beaten by a teacher with a stick for not doing his homework. He was taken to King George Hospital (KGH), where doctors declared him dead.
The incident took place at the Little Garden School, a private school that is situated in the One Town area.
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According to the family, Pranay left home on Thursday morning in what appeared to be good health. His father said the child had himself insisted on going to school that day.
"In the morning around 8:00 AM, my son woke up and said he wanted to go to school. He insisted on going to school," the father said, recounting the events leading up to the tragedy. The family initially did not send him immediately, but with examinations approaching, they eventually agreed.
"We thought, 'Okay, exams are coming up soon, so let him go.' He said, 'Alright Dad, I'm leaving,' and went to school," the father said.
The family said there was nothing unusual about the child when he left home that morning. But just a few hours later, they received news that would shatter their world.
The father said that around noon, he got a phone call informing him that something had happened to his son, though notably, the call did not come from the school itself, according to the report.
"No one from the school called me," he said. "The local cooks who work near my brother-in-law's place called and informed me."
What The CCTV Footage Shows
CCTV footage from the school, obtained by authorities, shows the teacher scolding the child, after which he begins crying and frantically moving his hands, as if pleading with her.
The footage further shows the teacher adjusting his shirt and pants before slapping him. Moments later, the child collapses into her lap. The teacher is seen in the video of attempting to lift him while remaining seated, but he does not respond.
Police are currently examining this footage as part of their ongoing investigation.
Family Demands Action, Alleges Delay In Being Informed
The family has alleged that the child was brought to the hospital already dead, and has demanded strict action against the teacher and the school management.
The father claimed he received no call from the school regarding the incident, and was instead informed by local cooks working at his brother-in-law's place. He also dismissed any suggestion that the child had been unwell before leaving for school that day.
"No one from the school called me," he said. "The local cooks who work near my brother-in-law's place called and informed me."
Investigation Underway
Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and launched an investigation.
Officers are questioning those who were present at the school at the time and examining the CCTV footage along with other available evidence to determine what led to the child's death. The exact cause of death remains undetermined, with the post-mortem examination report still awaited.
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Reacting to the horrible incident, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh expressed his condolences, calling it "heartbreaking" to see a six-year-old lose his life after allegedly being beaten by a teacher.
“We are taking legal action against the culprits and the school management. Stay strong. The loss you have suffered is irreplaceable by anyone. Our government will stand by you in every possible way,” he said.
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