Tamil Nadu Rights Panel Orders Compensation for Assaulted Schoolgirls

The State Human Rights Commission has directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹2 lakh each to two girls who were beaten with a slipper by their teacher at a government school in Kallakurichi district in 2017.

The incident occurred on 29 November 2017 at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Chinna Salem, when the girls, then in Class VI, closed the door of a toilet being used by their teacher, C.R. Santhi. Angered by this, Santhi allegedly assaulted the students, M. Anitha and S. Boomiga, with a slipper and pinched their cheeks. The teacher reportedly used abusive language during the incident.

Following the assault, the girls' parents lodged complaints with the school authorities and the District Educational Officer of Kallakurichi. The DEO's investigation confirmed the allegations, noting that Santhi admitted to the assault. Despite this, no immediate disciplinary action was taken against her, and she continued teaching at the same school.

The SHRC, after reviewing the case, concluded that Santhi's actions constituted a violation of the students' human rights. The commission recommended that the state government pay ₹2 lakh to each victim and recover the amount from the teacher. It also advised initiating disciplinary proceedings against Santhi.

The commission's findings highlighted the lack of prompt action by school authorities and the DEO, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of child protection policies in educational institutions. Open URL