Madurai police claim that even after two minor girls had to be admitted to hospital after the principal of their school hit them with a wooden stick for scoring low marks in a test on the Bible, none of the parents lodged a police complaint.

Stephen, sub-inspector, Melur police station in Madurai told The News Minute on Thursday, “None of the parents lodged a complaint including the parents of the two girls who were admitted at the hospital after the principal tendered an apology to them. We had gone to the hospital to enquire about the case.”

The New Indian Express reported that 37 students of fifth standard were hit by the Principal Yesudoss of Chinna Surakundu school on Monday for scoring low marks in the Bible in their half-yearly examination. Reportedly, teachers gave them first-aid treatment as many students had visible injury marks on their legs because of the punishment.

However, the newspaper has reported that the parents of the girls, who were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for treatment, lodged a complaint with the police but later withdrew it after the principal’s apology.

Corporal punishment in India is banned under various sections viz. Section 23 of Juvenile Justice Act, Section 9 of Child Care & Protection Act 2004, Section 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC.