An eight-year-old boy, Shyam Sunder, studying in Class II of a private school here was on Friday admitted to the Salem Government Super Speciality Hospital with caning injuries. His parents alleged that he was beaten by his teacher and two other school staff on Thursday evening. Sooramangalam police are investigating the charges.
Parents of the boy C. Krishnakumar and Lathika said Sky Kidz Public School, where the boy studied, was run by Priya Eswaran, wife of I. Eswaran, former Superintendent of Police of Vellore district. They alleged that the two other school staff who beat the boy were policemen. “We are shocked, as we do not know if our son who is only in Class II committed a crime that attracted such a punishment,” the agitated parents said. They told the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Officer that a student of Class V uttered a bad word. “School authorities claimed that it was then uttered by our son also, because of which the teacher and the two others beat him. We learnt that they closed his mouth while beating him so that his cries would not be heard,” they added.
Medial Superintendent of the Hospital T. Swaminathan said that the injuries that the boy suffered were skin deep. “He is depressed. The hospital psychiatrist will give counselling and help him recover,” he added.
District Child Protection Officer A. Devaki told The Hindu that the beating has been confirmed. “We could not hold an inquiry in the school as it was closed on Friday. The management, teachers, staff and students will be questioned on Monday,” she said. When contacted, Mr. Eswaran, who is awaiting his fresh posting, said he was not connected with the school. “Ms. Priya could not be contacted for comment.
