New Delhi: 10th February, 2014

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a class - I student of a Government school in Chanho of Ranchi district, Jharkhand, died due to suspected internal injuries on 2nd February, 2014, five days after beaten allegedly by a school teacher with a piece of firewood. Allegedly, despite making complaints by some villagers to the Block Education Officer regarding corporal punishment, no action had been taken by the concerned officer against the teacher.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, amount to serious violation of human rights and issued notices to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranchi, Jharkhand calling for reports within four weeks.

Reportedly, the accused teacher, though suspended by the District Education Superintendent, is missing from his home since 2nd February, 2014.

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