Girl student, victim of 'corporal punishment'

Priyanka Benedict Lobo, aged six-and-a-half, daughter of Geetha Maria Lobo, assistant mistress at Government Higher Primary School, Ashokapuram is that girl. A resident of K R Vanam, Priyanka is a student of Ist standard ‘B’ section at the Christ The King Convent on JLB Road here.

In her complaint to Juvenile Justice Board Member P P Baburaj, Geetha has alleged that the physical education instructor of the school, Joyce beat on the palms of her daughter twice using the ruler,  on January 31. “Priyanka was talkative”, said Geetha quoting the PE instructor’s reason for punishing the former’s daughter. She fell ill the same night.

Geetha said that particular instructor is in news again for the same reasons according to the head mistress. The matter was disclosed by the head mistress herself, when Geetha lodged a complaint against Joyce. Dr T Dayanand Chowta of Ashwini Clinic opposite Mysore Zoo who is treating the girl said the fever may be either due to the punishment or viral infection.

Baburaj who visited the girl at the hospital, told media that according to section 23 of Juvenile Justice Act, it’s prohibited to subject students to punishment. If convicted, the accused will have to undergo imprisonment for six months.