Students Locked Up Over Fee Payment: Showcause Notice To Pvt School In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A private school at Ghatikia, the outskirts of Odisha capital, was on Wednesday served a showcause notice, a couple of days after the authorities allegedly locked up students in the library over non-payment of tuition fees.

A total of 34 students were locked up for five hours on Monday.

Ekamra MLA and Minister Ashok Panda said that detaining children in school is against the education system and amounts to mental abuse. He has demanded strict action against the culprits involved in this incident.

“I have spoken to School and Mass Education Minister, Khurda Collector, DEO, BEO and Bharatpur police station IIC over alleged detention of students at the private school located in Ward No.23 in Ekamra constituency,” said Minister.

Meanwhile, the District Education Officer (DEO) visited the private school for further investigation into allegation. “A report will be submitted to the department and necessary action will be initiated after questioning of students, parents, authorities,” the DEO added.

Notably, Bhubaneswar police on Tuesday charged the chief executive officer (CEO), vice-principal and administrative manager of the school for wrongful confinement and cruelty. A case under Sections 342 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act was registered against the officials on the basis of a complaint lodged by the parents, who had also staged a staged protest in front of the school.

In their complaint, the parents of the 34 students between Class III and IX alleged that their wards were detained in a room between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm. No classes were conducted for these students and they were also not allowed to have a tiffin break or go to the washroom. They were not provided with water as well. They also moved Child Protection Committee in connection with this incident.

Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh said the statements of the parents have been recorded and CCTV footage of the school for the date of occurrence will be checked. “The administrative manager and vice-principal have been questioned. The statement of the librarian and other teachers will be recorded,” he told HT.