Panchkula School Assault: 8-yr-old boy sent to observation home; 2 teachers suspended, FIR against school staff
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 1, 2026: The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Panchkula has directed that an eight-year-old boy accused of assaulting a six-year-old kindergarten girl inside a school in Sector 20 be sent to an Observation Home in Ambala, as the inquiry into the October 28 incident continues.
In an order dated October 31, the Board directed that the boy be kept at a place of safety during the inquiry. He has been booked under Sections 115(2), 117(2) and 127(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to voluntarily causing hurt, voluntarily causing grievous hurt and wrongful confinement.
The Board has scheduled the next hearing for November 4 and directed that the boy be produced before it in person. He has also been asked to undergo medical procedures at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, on November 2. The Board is awaiting the inquiry report before proceeding further.
FIR Against School Principal, Class In-charge and Chowkidar
Separately, police registered an FIR on October 31 following a complaint by the girl’s uncle, naming the school principal, the class in-charge and the school chowkidar over alleged negligence.
The complaint reportedly alleges that the injured child was left inside a locked room for nearly two hours after the assault.
Earlier, two junior basic teachers, identified as Pooja Rani and Simranjit Kaur, were suspended by the District Elementary Education Officer, Panchkula, in connection with the incident.
Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Aditi Singh has confirmed that preliminary investigation indicated alleged lapses on the part of the school administration. Police have said the investigation will be conducted impartially.
Girl Undergoing Treatment at PGIMER
The six-year-old girl continues to receive treatment at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. Police sources have indicated that she is stable and out of danger, although her condition remains serious.
PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal visited the child on Sunday and enquired about her health and progress. The institute has announced that her entire treatment will be provided free of cost, with all medical expenses borne by PGIMER. A private room has also been arranged for her care and privacy.
How the Incident Came to Light
The incident occurred on October 28 at Government Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 20, Panchkula. According to the girl’s father’s complaint, he had arranged an auto-rickshaw to take his daughter home after school. When the child did not emerge at the usual time, the driver contacted him.
The father reached the school and asked the staff to search for his daughter. He was subsequently directed towards a room on the first floor, where he found the child lying injured on the floor. The room’s door was reportedly latched from outside.
The girl was initially taken to a private hospital in Sector 21 before being referred to PGIMER for specialised treatment.
Police have inspected the scene and seized a blood-stained brick, blood samples and other material for investigation. They are also examining the available electronic evidence.
The police are awaiting the girl’s medical and injury reports as well as the boy’s psychological assessment before deciding on further action.
Inquiry and School Safety Measures
Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma has also constituted a four-member committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vivek to examine the circumstances.
The Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought a detailed report from the District Education Officer on the action taken by the Education Department. The Haryana Human Rights Commission has also sought a report after its chairman, retired Justice Lalit Batra, visited the school.
Meanwhile, Panchkula Police have announced plans to introduce a mandatory standard operating procedure (SOP) for schools in the district, along with sensitisation programmes for teachers and students.
Authorities have appealed to the public and media organisations not to circulate CCTV footage showing the two children, citing concerns over their privacy and psychological well-being.