La Martiniere gives in,trashes the cane

Earlier,according to the school authorities corporal punishment was a minor offence.

“No child will be subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment,” the school rule book now says. Lieutenant General (retd) J R Mukherjee,one of the members of the Board of Governors of the institution,today said that a redressal forum for students will be started immediately. Gen Mukherjee assured that along with the teachers,members of the board will also be readily available to the students through the forum.

In another initiative the school has decided to set up a committee comprising teachers,parents and members of the board. This committee will make the teachers aware of the ethical and moral duties.

Representatives of the management,however,refused to comment on the Rouvanjit issue. At the same time they insisted that there is no need to arrest the principal. “If principal Sunirmal Chakraborty is found guilty,the Board of Governors will take action in accordance with law of the land. As of now the board has taken required measures against him. At present Chakraborty is cooperating with the police,” said one of the representatives.

Meanwhile,Rouvanjit’s father,Ajay Rawla,is exploring legal options in the case. Today Rawla met Tapas Bhanja,an advocate practicing at the Calcutta High Court,on whose PIL the High Court had banned Corporal Punishment in 2004.

“We are gathering evidences in this case. We would submit a plea to the court to arrest the accused,” said Bhanja.

He said that though an FIR has been lodged under Section 305 of IPC – which means abatement to suicide of a child or insane person – the police has not arrested anyone so far.