The Juvenile Justice Board in Haryana's Panchkula has granted bail to the eight-year-old boy accused of brutally assaulting a six-year-old girl inside their school and ordered the removal of videos of the incident circulating on social media.The Board's directions come days after the October 28 incident at a government school in Sector 20, Panchkula, in which the Class 3 student allegedly attacked the kindergarten girl with a stone and a flowerpot, repeatedly striking her on the head and dragging her by her hair.The disturbing CCTV footage of the assault had triggered widespread outrage, with concerns being raised over the safety of children inside school premises.BAIL APPLICATION SEEKS COUNSELLING AND REHABILITATIONIn his bail application filed before the Juvenile Justice Board on November 4, the boy's father submitted that the child had cooperated with the investigation and had no previous criminal record. The application stated that the boy was 8 years and 8 months old and a Class 3 student at Sanskriti Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 20, Panchkula.
It argued that his continued stay in custody could adversely affect his education, academic progress and overall development.The parents also undertook to provide him with counselling, behavioural guidance and rehabilitation measures, as advised by the competent authorities. They assured the Board that they would take responsibility for his upbringing, education and medical care and ensure that he appeared before the Board whenever required.
The application further argued that custodial interrogation was not necessary and that keeping the child in custody for the duration of the inquiry would serve no useful purpose.GIRL MAKES REMARKABLE RECOVERY AT PGIMeanwhile, the six-year-old girl has made a significant recovery at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh after initially battling for her life.She was first taken to Civil Hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula, before being referred to PGI because of the severity of her injuries.A video from the hospital recently showed the girl smiling while sitting in her mother's lap. She also smiled during a video call with her uncle, Fazil, who said her condition had improved considerably.Her family described her recovery as a second chance at life.
She was discharged on November 4. Parents have, however, decided not to discuss the assault with her for now, considering the psychological impact of the incident.POLICE PROBE AND ACTION AGAINST SCHOOL STAFFThe police registered a case against the school management under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
An FIR was also registered against the school principal, class in-charge and security guard.The Haryana Human Rights Commission and Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights have taken cognisance of the incident and sought reports from the concerned authorities.The Haryana Education Department has also constituted a committee to investigate the matter. Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda said that no one found guilty of negligence would be spared.
The school principal and two JBT teachers have been suspended so far.Senior officials are supervising the investigation, and further action will be taken against those found responsible after the committee submits its report.- Ends