Avantika Gupta: The Teacher at the Center of Uttar Pradesh's School Attendance Controversy and Principal-Official Conflict

Avantika Gupta serves as a primary school teacher who has become central to a significant controversy in Uttar Pradesh.

A major dispute has erupted between the headmaster of Nadwa Primary School and the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) in Uttar Pradesh. At the heart of this conflict is Avantika Gupta, a primary school teacher whose name has become prominent in the ongoing investigation.

Avantika Gupta currently holds a teaching position at Nadwa Primary School in Mahmudabad, Sitapur, where Brijendra Kumar Verma was serving as the headmaster. According to reports, Avantika Gupta had been absent from school for an extended period, which became the focal point of disagreement between the headmaster and the BSA, Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

A recorded phone conversation reveals that BSA Akhilesh Pratap Singh allegedly instructed the headmaster to record Avantika Gupta as present despite her absence. In the audio recording, Mr. Singh can be heard saying, "If the villagers ask, tell them the teacher is on medical leave." The headmaster responded, "At least the teacher should come one day. Her vehicle passes by the principal's house every day. What should I say if people ask?"

This exchange reportedly initiated the conflict between the two officials. Additionally, Seema Verma, the headmaster's wife, claimed that the BSA had been pressuring her husband to falsely mark Avantika Gupta's attendance.

The situation deteriorated when the headmaster visited the BSA's office on September 23 to present his perspective regarding complaints about harassing the female teacher. The discussion escalated into a heated argument, resulting in Brijendra Verma physically attacking BSA Akhilesh Pratap Singh with a belt.

Following this incident, legal action was taken against the headmaster, who was subsequently imprisoned. In response, students and local villagers organized a sit-in protest outside Nadwa Primary School, demanding Mr. Verma's release.

The incident came to the attention of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who acknowledged the situation and suspended BSA Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

Viral video footage of the incident showed Mr. Verma forcefully dropping his file on the desk before removing his belt and striking Mr. Singh multiple times.

"He was scolded when he failed to answer. He then turned aggressive, pulled his belt out and attacked us," Mr. Singh had stated.

The headmaster struck the officer at least five times before others intervened and removed him from the scene.