Chhattisgarh: Nursery student allegedly assaulted over 'Radhe Radhe' greeting; school principal arrested

A private school principal in Durg district, Chhattisgarh, was arrested on August 1 for allegedly assaulting a nursery student and taping her mouth shut after she greeted the principal with “Radhe Radhe”, police officials confirmed.

The incident took place on July 31 at Mother Teresa English Medium School located in Bagdumar village, under the jurisdiction of Nandini police station. The accused has been identified as Ila Evan Colvin.

According to the police, the student, aged 3.5 years, was allegedly slapped and had her mouth taped for nearly 15 minutes as a form of punishment. The First Information Report (FIR) states that the punishment was administered after the child greeted the principal with “Radhe Radhe”.

According to the India Today report, the girl’s father, Praveen Yadav, lodged a complaint at the Nandini Police Station after the child returned home in distress and narrated the incident. Police said visible injury marks were found on the child’s body.

ASP Padmashree Tanwar stated that the principal's actions were in response to the child not answering a question but acknowledged that the measures taken were excessive. “The child’s mouth was taped shut for almost 15 minutes, and she was beaten. We have arrested the principal and registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code,” she said, as per India Today.

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FIR mentions charges of child cruelty, religious offence

Principal Ila Evan Colvin was arrested under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 115(2) and 299, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The charges pertain to causing hurt, cruelty to children, and other offences, including alleged outrage of religious feelings.

The incident led to protests by members of the Bajrang Dal, who demanded action against the school and alleged religious bias. The Education Department is expected to conduct an independent enquiry into the school’s functioning.

(With inputs from PTI)