The headmaster of a school in India has been arrested after a girl fell ill while doing 500 sit-ups as punishment for not completing her homework.
The girl, who is 13, was sent to hospital after feeling pain during the punishment.
Police said they arrested the principal of the school yesterday after they were told by parents that eight children had been forced to do the sit-ups at the private Shri Bhavashwari Sandesh Vidyalay school in the village of Chandgad, Maharashtra.
The girl, who is 13, was sent to hospital after falling ill during the punishment. Pictured: A stock image of young schoolchildren in India
A senior official told NDTV: ‘We arrested Ashwini Devan, the principal, yesterday under IPC sections 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 337 (act endangering life or personal safety of another person) and 506 (criminal intimidation).’
He was later released on bail.
The complaint was filed against Devan on December 10 after the incident, which occurred on November 24.
Devan has now been put on compulsory leave by the school.
According to the Times of India, the girl who fell ill had struggled with the sit-ups.
A police officer said she ‘could complete only 300,’ adding: ‘Later in the day, she complained of pain in her right leg, which was shaking continuously. She was then hospitalised’.
The Times also reported that the girl’s father works at the school – but was reluctant to call out the principal’s actions in case he suffered retribution.
The girl remains under observation in hospital, a doctor said.
Dr Ramanand added: ‘She is still experiencing tremors in her leg. Her parameters, however, are normal, suggesting no damage to any body part or the nervous system. The tremors may be a manifestation of mental trauma.’