Ahmedabad: A Class 4 student, aged 9, was allegedly beaten by his school’s principal and a teacher over a note in which the boy purportedly wrote ‘I love you’ to a girl in his class.The boy’s mother has approached police, complaining against the principal and the teacher.According to the complaint, the boy, who studies at an east Ahmedabad school, allegedly handed the note to the girl on Sept 19.The note was apparently later found in the classroom by school staff.Thereafter, the principal and the teacher summoned the boy and began questioning him.The complaint filed by the mother alleges that during the questioning, the principal and the teacher beat the child with a ruler while reprimanding him.When the boy returned home from school, he locked himself up in a room. When the door was eventually opened, the boy was found to be crying.When his mother consoled him and inquired about what had happened, the boy revealed to her that he had been beaten at the school by the principal and the teacher.The mother has filed a complaint with police, saying that the child was physically assaulted over the note.Police said a complaint has been registered and an investigation is under way against the teacher and principal.Police said they are mindful of the fact that the alleged victim is a minor.The school management, however, has reportedly claimed that the student had ‘repeatedly disturbed’ the girl and that the note was part of the issue.The management has also alleged that the student’s family demanded money to settle the matter.The family has denied making such a demand.The child’s mother has alleged that the school did not allow her family to view CCTV footage of the episode and maintained that the family was only seeking justice.Police are examining statements of the student, parents, and school staff as part of the investigation.District education officer Rohit Chaudhary said the school has been asked to submit a detailed report, after which a decision about potential action will be taken.
