Karnataka High Court Stays Probe Against School Staff Accused Of Punishing Students By Making Them Stand In Sun

The Karnataka High Court on Friday (March 27) granted an interim stay on all criminal proceedings against the Principal, Dean and two teachers of a school in Bengaluru for forcing young students to stand under the scorching sun for being late to class.The single judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna ordered, “...notice for respondent. There will be an interim order of stay on further investigation qua the petitioners till the next date of hearing.”The matter has now been posted on 18th April. Meanwhile, the court orally warned the petitioners that it would vacate the interim order if any other students were to complain.According to The Hindu, on 13th March, certain students had come late to a school in the Attibelle Layout, and the alleged mode of punishment imparted to the minors by the teachers and staff was making them stand under the sun for hours. A video showing the alleged altercation between the teacher and the parents of the affected students had also gone viral on social media.“2 minutes late, 2 hours in the Sun?”, the court orally remarked when the matter was taken up.The petitioner's counsel submitted that the State has now been harassing students to make statements against the teachers allegedly involved in the matter.The Government Advocate informed the court that he will caution the police not to do it.“ Let the prosecution show, My Lord… assuming this was done… on that particular day, the only punishment given to the children were to call their parents. That would in no way amount to causing hurt…”, the petitioners' counsel submitted, adding that none of the allegations made by the parents in the viral video has ever occurred.The counsel submitted that the students' parents were intentionally creating an issue with the principal and the staff. The criminal petition seeks quashing of the FIR in Crime No.118/2026, registered 5 days after the alleged incident on March 13, upon receiving a complaint from the Block Education Officer, Yelahanka. The Yelahanka New Town Police Station has charged the accused principal, functionaries of management and teachers with offences under Sections 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 [anyone with actual charge or control over a child assaulting, abusing…causing mental or physical suffering] and Sections 115(2) [Voluntarily causing hurt],352[Intentional Insult] r/w 3(5) [Joint Liability for criminal acts] of BNS, 2023.Case Title: Minakshi Vinodini & Ors. v. State of Karnataka & Ors.Case No: CRL.P 4785/2026

Karnataka High Court Stays Probe Against School Staff Accused Of Punishing Students By Making Them Stand In Sun

Sebin James

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