Tragic Death of Jharkhand Student Following Principal's Corporal Punishment Over Dress Code Violation

Wearing slippers instead of shoes is against the school's dress code policy. (Representational)

Garhwa:

A class 12 student passed away on Tuesday at a hospital after allegedly being slapped by her school's principal in-charge for wearing slippers to school about a month ago in Jharkhand's Garhwa district, according to police reports.

The school's dress code explicitly prohibits wearing slippers.

Police stated that on September 15, Divya Kumari attended school and participated in the assembly session wearing slippers instead of proper shoes. Principal (In-charge) Droupadi Minz reportedly scolded and slapped her for violating the dress code rules.

While the student initially appeared unaffected, she later developed depression. After receiving initial treatment at a hospital in Daltonganj, she was transferred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi, where she ultimately died during treatment.

Her parents subsequently filed a complaint at the Bargarh police station regarding the incident.

Angry family members and villagers protested by blocking the main road at Tehri Bhandaria chowk with the girl's body, chanting slogans against the school administration.

The protesters claimed that Divya died due to mental trauma inflicted by Minz and demanded her arrest.

Police and district administration officials quickly arrived at the scene and convinced the protesters to end the blockade, promising appropriate action against those responsible.

The road blockade disrupted traffic for more than three hours.

The principal has declined to comment on the matter.