UP School Issued Notice for Alleged ‘Electric Chair’ Threats

Dec. 30, 2024, 3:24 p.m.

A private school in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has received a show cause notice from the education department following allegations of intimidating children with threats of an ‘electric chair’. The issue surfaced after a parent complained that their child was tortured and forced to sit on an electric chair as punishment. Basic Education Officer Rakesh Kumar Singh, who investigated the matter, stated that while CCTV footage disproved the specific claim regarding the electric chair

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But the investigation did reveal another student being beaten by a school coordinator. Singh clarified that although no electric chair was found on school premises, staff had reportedly been threatening children with the idea of one, which constitutes a punishable offense under the Right to Education Act. Furthermore, the investigation uncovered that the school had failed to renew its permit to run classes from Grades 1 to 8, with its authorisation expiring in 2021.

As a result, the education department issued a show cause notice and instructed the school to dismiss the coordinator involved in the physical punishment. Singh further emphasised that using fear-based methods to discipline children is illegal, and the authorities will continue to monitor the situation. The school now faces further scrutiny over its management and adherence to regulations.