16-Year-Old Differently Abled Student Assaulted By Teachers; Chilli Powder Thrown In Eyes

The Karnataka Police arrested a couple operating a residential school for children with special needs in the Bagalkot district on charges of allegedly beating a 16-year-old differently-abled boy brutally and throwing chilli powder into his eyes.  The police identified the accused as Akshay Indulkar and his wife, Malini.

According to reports, the incident occurred at Divya Jyoti Special Children’s Residential School three months ago but came to light last week after a video went viral.

The parents of the victim filed a complaint against the school authority. According to the report, the child had been attending the school for three years and was paying a monthly fee of Rs 6,000.

The accused allegedly physically attacked the student, and after he fell to the ground in pain, the couple allegedly put chilli powder into his eyes.

The boy’s parents saw the disturbing video footage and approached the police. The victim student’s mother, expressing shock at the brutal beating of her son by the teachers demand the closure of the school for the sake of the safety of other children.

Enraged parents gathered in front of the school, demanding strict action, prompting police to rush to the site and launch an inquiry.

Siddharth Goyal, Superintendent of Police, confirmed the arrest of the accused couple, and a case has been filed under the Juvenile Justice Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the probe, it was revealed that the victim boy had scuffled with another boy at the school, which led the teachers to brutally assault him.

The child development project officer and child rights protection officials have also visited the centre.

As per the police investigation the school was operating without the mandatory license. The Women and Child Development Department has also issued a notice and directed officials to shut down the facility.