Punished by teacher, 11-year-old girl dies in hospital

New Delhi, Apr 17 (ANI): Shannoo Khan, who had slipped into coma after she was hit by her teacher and made to stand in the sun for over two hours, died at a hospital here on Friday.

Shannoo was undergoing treatment for "ventilatory failure" in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Lok Nayak Hospital.

She was a student of Class two at the ND Primary School in Narela, North Delhi.

The incident allegedly occurred on Thursday when Shannoo failed to recite the English alphabet in class. Angered by this, the teacher allegedly hit Shannoo's head against the table and made her stand in the sun for over two hours. Unable to stand the heat, Shannoo fainted and was found unconscious by her younger sister, who studies in the same school.

The girl then informed their mother, Rihanna, who rushed Shannoo to Maharshi Valmiki Hospital. Shannoo's father, Ayub Khan, who works as a waiter in a catering company, was away in Haryana for work.

"Doctors at Maharshi Valmiki hospital told me that Shannoo's condition was critical and she might not survive," said Khan.

The 11-year-old was subsequently shifted to the pediatric ICU of the Lok Nayak Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

"She was brought to our hospital in a critical condition. We have examined the child and her blood pressure is very low due to which she remains in a state of shock. Her pulse is very weak too. She is on a ventilator and we can comment on her condition only tomorrow," said Dr. A. P. Dubey, head of the department, pediatrics, Lok Nayak Hospital.

"The child was admitted in with severe seizure and her condition further deteriorated before she slipped into a coma. She was shifted to LNJP in critical condition," said Dr. KK Deuri, medical superintendent of Maharshi Valmiki hospital. MCD officials, however, denied that the girl was punished and said she suffered from frequent seizures.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi Government and the Centre promised they would take strict action against those involved in the incident.

Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare Renuka Chowdhury promised justice would be done.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The principal and the teacher have been suspended.

The Chairman of the MCD Education Committee Prithiviraj Sahni had earlier said, "The girl has been detained for shortage of attendance. She has been irregular with her classes because of fits. On Wednesday too, she had fits, following which her parents were informed."

Municipal Commissioner K. S. Mehra has asked the Director of Primary Education to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within three days.

The principal of the school has been identified as Dhanpati, while the teacher has been identified as Manju.

Police said they have confirmed that the child was punished at school. Atul Katiyar, DCP, (outer), said: "We have confirmed from various sources that the child did face corporal punishment and investigations are on. We will file an FIR only after we receive the medical reports." (ANI)