Investigation ordered into corporal punishment

Taking serious note of complaints against corporal punishment in schools, the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights on Monday initiated an inquiry through the deputy director of public instruction and block education officers across the state.

In case of serious violations of child rights, the panel directed the police to initiate probe into allegations under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice act.

The commission has registered 20 complaints of corporal punishment across various districts. Bangalore leads the districts with the highest instances of corporal punishment. Although 15 were related to teachers resorting to violent means to discipline children, instances of children getting punished for not paying for more marks and capitation fees were also reported.

One child in Uttara Kannada lost his life to corporal punishment, while three others had to undergo counselling at Nimhans to overcome mental trauma.