Days after a video surfaced showing a Muslim student being slapped by his fellow classmates in UP's Muzaffarnagar, on the orders of a teacher, the Supreme Court today directed the superintendent of Muzaffarnagar police to file a report on status of investigation and measures taken to protect the victim and parents. The court has also issued notice to the UP government, directing it to file reply by September 25.
A petition was moved by Tushar Gandhi seeking independent investigation, including registration of FIR in respect of all provisions where prima facie commission of offences is made out, in respect of the seven-year-old boy from Muzaffarnagar, UP.
The private school, Neha Public School, has been sealed and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had asked the Uttar Pradesh Police to lodge a FIR against the concerned teacher, Tripta Tyagi. She has been booked under Ssections 323 (causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code.
However, she has not been arrested yet.
Meanwhile, the petitioner's lawyer also sought guidelines regarding preventive and remedial measures within the school systems to prevent violence against children, including those belonging to religious minorities. The petitioner further alleged that ever since the FIR has been filed against the teacher, there has been a mounting pressure on the child’s family to strike a “compromise” and get the FIR expunged.
