Haryana Suspends Principal After Girl, Six, Is Hurt at School

A principal has been suspended while a six-year-old girl remains in care at PGIMER in Chandigarh. Haryana suspended Neelu, principal of Shaheed Major Anuj Rajput Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School in Panchkula, on November 1, days after the alleged classroom assault. The order followed the earlier suspension of two teachers and a police case against school staff over alleged failures to act. ^2,4

The assault happened on October 28. Police and family accounts say an eight-year-old Class 3 student allegedly led the kindergarten girl to a first-floor classroom and attacked her with a brick and other objects. Her family found her injured after she failed to appear at the usual pick-up point. She was taken to hospital and later moved to PGIMER. A Juvenile Justice Board has sent the boy to an observation home while an inquiry continues. ^6,13

That inquiry is about more than the actions of one child. The family has questioned how the girl could be hurt inside school without staff stepping in, and police are looking into alleged failures by the school administration. The Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked for a report on supervision and the response after the assault. Two teachers were suspended earlier; the principal’s suspension adds another step in the department’s response.^2,3 The reports do not show why staff failed to spot the incident, so responsibility remains under investigation.

The department’s response also includes a five-member inquiry committee, which has been told to submit its findings within seven days.¹⁰ At PGIMER, Director Vivek Lal visited the girl and ordered the institute to cover all treatment costs; she has a private room, and specialists are watching her condition.¹ The Juvenile Justice Board’s next hearing for the boy is set for November 4. ⁶