Class 6 girl dies after being forced to do 100 sit-ups for coming late, Probe Initiated News24 –

A Class 6 girl from a private school in Maharashtra’s Palghar district died almost a week after she was reportedly forced to do 100 sit-ups for coming late to school. The incident has led to a formal investigation. The student, Anshika Gaud, who studied at a school in Sativali, Vasai, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday night. Members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said Anshika and four other students were punished with 100 sit-ups each on November 8 for arriving late.

According to PTI, Anshika’s mother claimed that her daughter’s health worsened because of this “inhuman punishment,” adding that the teacher made her do the sit-ups while carrying her school bag on her back. MNS leader Sachin More also alleged that the girl was punished even though she already had health issues.

“It is not known how many sit-ups this child had done. One really does not know if she died due to it or otherwise.” Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange said an inquiry is being conducted into Anshika’s death,” said a teacher from the school.

He said that the investigation will determine the exact cause of the girl’s death. Officials also confirmed that no police complaint has been filed yet.

Speaking to the media, Anshika’s mother said her daughter’s health worsened quickly after the punishment. “After the punishment, she had severe pain in her neck and back and was unable to stand,” the mother said. She added that after hearing what had happened, she went to the school to confront the teacher.

“I was told the children were punished for coming late. The teacher even tried to justify it by saying that parents complain that teachers don’t discipline students despite paying fees,” she said, as per PTI.

“I told the teacher that punishing students does not mean making them do sit-ups with their school bags on. My daughter was given an inhuman punishment, and that led to her death,” she added.