A major controversy has erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district after the death of a seven-year-old student whose family has accused a private school teacher of physically assaulting him. The sensitive Damoh student death case came into public focus on Saturday morning when grieving family members reached the Superintendent of Police office carrying the child’s body and demanding strict legal action against the accused teacher.

The child had reportedly been undergoing treatment in Bhopal for nearly two months before he died on Friday evening. The incident has triggered outrage in the local community and raised serious questions regarding student safety and disciplinary practices in private schools. According to family members, the deceased child, identified as Kavya Namdev, was a Class 3 student at IES Public School located in Tendukheda area of Damoh district. The child’s maternal uncle Hemant Namdev alleged that on February 19 the school teacher, identified as Devendri Thakur, beat the child with a scale after he allegedly failed to complete his homework.

The family claimed that the teacher struck the boy on his hands, legs, and head, following which his health condition began deteriorating. According to relatives, the child developed fever soon after returning home and gradually stopped eating and speaking normally. His condition reportedly became serious within a short period, forcing the family to seek medical treatment at several hospitals. Initially, the boy was taken to the Tendukheda health centre, where doctors referred him to higher medical facilities due to worsening health.

The family later admitted him to Chirayu Hospital, where medical examinations including MRI scans were conducted. Relatives alleged that the MRI report showed swelling in the child’s head and doctors indicated the condition could be linked to physical trauma. As his condition continued to deteriorate, the child was shifted to Apollo Hospital in Jabalpur for advanced treatment. After several days of treatment there without major improvement, he was eventually referred to AIIMS Bhopal for specialised care. The child remained admitted at AIIMS for nearly two months while doctors continued treatment, but he died on Friday evening during treatment. Following the death, family members brought the body back to Damoh and directly approached the SP office seeking justice.

The grieving relatives alleged that authorities had failed to take proper action despite earlier complaints. The child’s uncle claimed that the complaint filed at Tendukheda police station earlier did not accurately mention the accused individuals and alleged that names were removed from the report. He further stated that the family had submitted applications to the Collector, Superintendent of Police, and District Education Officer requesting investigation into the matter, but no concrete action had been initiated. Family members now want strict punishment against the teacher and a transparent investigation into the entire incident.

The matter quickly drew attention after the family arrived at the SP office with the child’s body. Police officials immediately intervened and sent the body to the district hospital for post-mortem examination. Kotwali police station officials confirmed that a panel post-mortem would be conducted under the supervision of senior authorities considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case. Police officials stated that the exact cause of death would only become clear after the post-mortem findings and medical reports are examined. Meanwhile, district authorities have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the entire case. Officials said the SIT would examine all aspects of the matter, including the medical treatment records, witness statements, earlier complaints filed by the family, and the conduct of school authorities after the alleged assault. Police sources indicated that statements from doctors, school staff, and family members are likely to be recorded during the investigation process.

The case has also put the private school administration under scrutiny. Responding to the allegations, school operator Vikram Singh stated that the institution had acted immediately after the complaint was first received from the family. According to him, the accused teacher was removed from service soon after the allegations surfaced. He also claimed that the school administration fully cooperated with the child’s treatment and even provided financial support to the family during the boy’s prolonged treatment in Bhopal. The school management maintained that they support a fair and unbiased investigation into the case. At the same time, police officials have urged the public not to draw conclusions until the investigation and medical reports are completed.

The Damoh student death case has sparked widespread debate regarding corporal punishment in schools and the accountability of educational institutions in handling complaints involving children. Local residents and social organisations have demanded strict monitoring of disciplinary practices in schools to ensure student safety. The incident has also intensified demands for stronger child protection mechanisms in educational institutions across the state.

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