Schoolgirl, 12, Dies After Teacher’s Brutal Sit-Up Punishment

A young girl died after her teacher allegedly made her do 100 sit-ups for arriving late to class.

The 12-year-old, from Maharashtra in India, reportedly had to wear her schoolbag while being punished by her teacher, which later led to severe pain. The incident, which happened on November 8, and included other children who were late, has caused outrage among parents and community members.

Kajal Gond, a sixth-grader at a school in Vasai, reportedly began suffering severe back pain after completing the corporal punishment while carrying her schoolbag.

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Her condition worsened at home, leading to hospitalisation in Nalasopara and later transfer to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, where she died during treatment. Family members say the punishment directly caused her health to deteriorate.

“She was crying in pain and kept saying she could not move her back,” said her father, Sunil Gond. “No child should be treated this way for being late.”

Local residents and parents have demanded strict action against the teacher and the school administration. Community activist Meena Patil said: “This is not discipline, it is cruelty. We send our children to school to learn, not to suffer.”

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional political party, has warned that the school will remain closed until criminal charges are filed. “Justice must be served, and those responsible must face the law,” said MNS spokesperson Rajesh Kadam.

Meanwhile, education advocates are calling for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and better training for teachers.