Tamil Nadu Teacher Booked for Allegedly Caning 10 Class 10 Girls, Students Unable to Write Exams

 

A 44-year-old government school teacher in Tamil Nadu has been booked for allegedly beating 10 Class 10 female students with a cane, causing severe injuries to their hands and leaving them unable to attend school or appear for examinations, police said on Thursday.

The incident reportedly took place on July 20 at a Government Higher Secondary School in V K Pudur near Surandai in Tenkasi district.

According to police, the teacher, identified as Thenmaria Suganthi, was conducting a Class 11 lesson when she allegedly became angry over noise coming from a nearby Class 10 classroom.

The teacher subsequently entered the Class 10 classroom and allegedly caned several students. Around 10 students sustained injuries to their hands and required medical treatment.

The injured students were initially taken to the V K Pudur Government Hospital and nearby private medical facilities for treatment. One of the students, identified as Pavithra, was later shifted to the Tenkasi Government Hospital, where she remained admitted for three days, officials said.

The students reportedly continued to experience swelling and pain in their hands following the alleged assault. As a result, they were unable to attend school and were also unable to write their examinations.

Pavithra's mother, Rajathi, subsequently approached the District Collector and submitted a formal complaint seeking action against the teacher.

Following the complaint, Veerakeralampudur police registered a case against Suganthi under Section 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt. Police also invoked relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, given that the alleged victims were school students.

The case has raised concerns over the use of corporal punishment in schools and the safety of students in government educational institutions.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the alleged assault, the extent of injuries suffered by the students and the actions taken by the school following the incident.

Further investigation is underway.