BAGALKOT: The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged abuse of children with special needs by teachers at a residential school in Bagalkot.
The incident, which occurred at the Divyajyoti Residential School for Mentally Challenged Children at Navanagar in Bagalkot, has been condemned by KSCPCR chairperson Shashidhar Kosumbe, who described it as “inhuman” and “unpardonable”.
The commission has written to the Bagalkot District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, seeking information on the action taken in the case. Kosumbe stated that the commission has taken notice of the incident and has taken it seriously. The alleged abuse was reportedly perpetrated by a teacher couple and other staff members at the school, and has sparked outrage in the state.
“We have registered a suo motu case with respect to the case at is inhuman and cannot be condoned. We have already written to the district SP and DC to visit the school and file a report. This is a shameful incident and we will recommend suitable action based on the report”, Kosumbe said.
The school is run by Akshay Indulkar and his wife Anandi. Akshay allegedly tortured a 12-year-old student, Deepak Rathod, using a belt and plastic pipe. The incident, which occurred three months ago, has sparked outrage in the community. The school, located in a residential area, had been operating without proper permission from authorities. The couple, who are originally from Kolhapur in Maharashtra, have been running the school for four years.
The abuse was exposed when a video of the incident surfaced, showing Akshay beating the child while his wife threw chili powder in the child’s eyes. Two female staff members, Hamida and Kalavati, who witnessed the incident, were fired from their jobs and came forward to report the abuse.
The police have arrested Akshay and Anandhi, and are investigating the case. The District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police visited the school and authorities have promised to take action. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the 40 children at the school, and the authorities have assured that they will be taken care of. The school’s operations have been shut down, and an inquiry is under way.
