The Hindu : Front Page : School girl beaten up by teacher is no more

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 28, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

School girl beaten up by teacher is no more

Staff Reporter

Tragic end in Delhi hospital three months after trauma in classroom

ANGER AND ANGUISH: Angry residents of Kondli in East Delhi protesting outside Dinkar Model School on Thursday in the wake of the tragic death of young Rinky Kaushik (left) after three months in coma.

NEW DELHI: Fifteen-year-old Rinky Kaushik, who was allegedly beaten up by a teacher in her school last year, is no more. She died in Maharaja Agrasen Hospital here late on Wednesday night after lying in coma for almost three months.

A Class X student of Dinkar National Model School at Mayur Vihar in East Delhi, Rinky was allegedly hit on her head and slapped by her teacher, Dhirender Kumar, in November following which she fell unconscious. She died of blood infection -- septicaemia -- in hospital around midnight on Wednesday night.

Rinky’s cousin Sunil Verma said on Thursday: “Rinky regained consciousness almost three hours after her teacher beat her up. She was told by the teacher not to mention anything about the incident to her parents. On returning home, Rinky complained of headache and was taken to a nearby dispensary. Though a very jovial and energetic girl, she suddenly stopped mixing with her friends and family. When her condition did not improve, she told her mother about the incident.”

Following the disclosure, a police complaint was registered against the teacher, who is also son of the school Principal.Meanwhile, Rinky’s condition continued to deteriorate and the family took her to several hospitals around the city but to no avail. She was taken to G. B. Pant Hospital and then to Jain Neuro Hospital in Vivek Vihar. “Rinky eventually stopped taking food towards the end of December and was admitted to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital on January 7 and operated upon. She slipped into coma and eventually died on Wednesday,” said Sunil Verma.

Accusing the police of trying to shield the teacher, the family lawyer Surender Kumar said: “Though a complaint was lodged after the family came to know about the incident, the police tried to hush up the matter and no action was taken against the teacher. After the media highlighted the incident, a case of causing grievous hurt was registered. The police deliberately booked the accused under a lenient section to shield him.”

Soon after Rinky’s death, angry relatives staged a demonstration at Kondli Chowk and some local residents attacked the school building demanding immediate action against the accused. The teacher is still absconding.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page