The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to appoint a senior IPS officer to investigate the case of a schoolboy allegedly slapped by his classmates on the teacher’s instruction in Muzaffarnagar.
A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Pankaj Mithal while directing that the IPS officer shall file a report in the apex court, asked the state government to provide counseling to the victim and the involved students, conducted by professional counselors. They found a prima facie case indicating the Uttar Pradesh government’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Right to Education Act. This Act mandates the provision of quality, free, and compulsory education to children up to 14 years, without any discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender.
The bench also sought a status report from the state government on the implementation of the RTE Act in schools across the state within four weeks, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who sought an investigation into the matter. On September 6, the Supreme Court directed the Muzaffarnagar Superintendent of Police to submit a status report on the case, also inquiring about measures taken to safeguard the student and his parents.
The top court issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government, seeking its response by September 25. The Muzaffarnagar Police registered a case against the teacher, accused of making communal comments and allegedly instructing her students to slap a Muslim classmate who hadn’t completed his homework. The state education department also issued a notice to the school in connection with the incident. The teacher faced charges after a video emerged showing her allegedly directing students to slap the Class 2 boy in Khubbapur village and making a communal remark.
