Durg, Chhattisgarh: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint filed by Swati Goel Sharma (Editor, Rashtra Jyoti) in a recent case where a Nursery class student was beaten up and had her mouth for 15 minutes for greeting her principle, Ila Evan Colvin, with ‘Radhe Radhe’.
The Bench of the NHRC presided by Priyank Kanoongo has issued a notice under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Durg, after finding prima facie “serious violations of the human rights of the victim and the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009”.
Kanoongo has asked for an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks.
Besides looking into the complaint given by Swati, Kanoongo has directed that the administration must facilitate the girl’s admission in a school of her parents’ choice.
The case
The case involves a 3.5-year-old girl who is a Nursery student at Mother Teresa School in Bagdumar village in Nandini area of Chhattisgarh’s Durg district.
Her father, Praveen Yadav, told Rashtra Jyoti over the phone that on July 30, his daughter returned home visibly shaken and unusually quiet, constantly pressing a finger to her lips. She later revealed that her school principal, Ila Evan Colvin, struck her hand with a rod and taped her mouth shut for 15 minutes because she had greeted the principal with the words “Radhe Radhe”.
Yadav said he immediately approached the village sarpanch, Damini Sahu, who accompanied him to the police station. An FIR was filed against Colvin, who was arrested but released on bail the same day.
As per Yadav, only mild sections were invoked in the FIR, and shockingly, the principal resumed duties at the school the very next day.
Yadav added that he has since stopped sending his daughter to the school, fearing continued trauma. He plans to take a break from work to seek a new school for her, though he expressed worry that the family’s involvement in a police case may affect her future admissions. The family belongs to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
After receiving the father’s account, Swati Goel Sharma, editor of Rashtra Jyoti, filed a formal complaint with NHRC, stressing the urgent need for an impartial investigation and justice. The complaint flagged issues of child abuse, religious discrimination and institutional impunity.
What NHRC has directed
Inquiry & ATR: DM and SP, Durg, must inquire into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report within 2 weeks to the Commission.
Child’s schooling: Facilitate the victim’s admission to a school of her parents’ choice; ensure admission under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009 if the child falls under EWS.
Support & safety: Ensure the child receives psychological counselling and safe school access.
