Panchkula, April 28 — The sessions court in Panchkula upheld the conviction of a teacher found guilty of assaulting a Class 6 student after he touched her car, while modifying her sentence to probation.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Bharti Verma, principal of Government School, Parwala, who informed police that on December 30, 2021, Kirti Malik, a 39-year-old teacher from Sector 8, beat a student for allegedly touching her car. Verma also reported that Malik verbally abused and intimidated her, along with several villagers and staff members.
Following the complaint, police registered a case at Raipur Rani police station under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The child was taken for medical examination, and a medico-legal report (MLR) prepared by Dr. Shilpa Garg noted pain in the left ear, throat pain, redness, and an abrasion on the left index finger, supporting the allegations.
In August 2023, a trial court found Malik guilty, sentencing her to two months of simple imprisonment and imposing a ₹500 fine. Malik challenged the verdict before the sessions court.
Dismissing the appeal, the sessions court said, “The testimony of the victim has been consistent and credible.
He stated that while playing, his hand accidentally touched the teacher’s car, after which she physically assaulted him.” The court added that the medical evidence corroborated the child’s version of events.
However, considering factors such as Malik’s clean record, the minor nature of the injuries, and the fact that she had been under trial since March 2022, the court chose to grant her probation.
Malik was released on six months’ probation on furnishing a bond of ₹25,000 with one surety.
The court instructed Malik to maintain peace and good conduct during the probationary period. Any violation would require her to serve the original sentence.
Besides, the judge ordered Malik to pay ₹10,000 as compensation to the injured student.
