Kannauj:
In a shocking case of corporal punishment, a 10-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death by his school teacher in Kannauj district in Uttar Pradesh.
The victim, Sajid, was a student of Class 5 at a private school in Gursahaiganj.
His younger brother, Sahil, alleges that the former was punched several times by his teacher, Rahul, on Monday. Sajid apparently fell unconscious and instead of rushing him to a hospital, the school administration left him at his home. His parents were not present at home at the time and returned hours after he was dropped off.
Sajid was immediately rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died on the way.
The school administration denies that Sajid was thrashed by his teacher, claiming instead that he suffered a seizure.
"The teacher didn't hit him...the child was getting fits in class...we were there when that happened...we immediately sent the child home," YP Singh, Administrator of Lakhi Public School said.
Authorities also defended themselves for not taking Sajid to a hospital and leaving him at his home unattended, saying they did not have the facilities to provide him with medical attention.
A first information report (FIR) has been registered on the basis of a complaint by Sajid's parents. Police have launched a search for the accused teacher who went missing after the incident.
Meanwhile, Sajid's autopsy report is awaited to ascertain the exact cause of his death.