A 12-year-old student in India died a week after her teacher allegedly forced her to do 100 sit-ups for arriving ten minutes late to school.
Kajal Gond, a Class 6 student at a private school in Sativali, Vasai, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on 14 Nov. The incident took place on 8 Nov 2025. The girl was allegedly made to wear her schoolbag while doing the sit-ups.
Members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said Gond and four other students were each forced to do 100 sit-ups that day for being late.
Girl Complains of Severe Pain After Punishment
Gond started experiencing severe lower back pain right after finishing the sit-ups, according to NDTV. Her mother said the girl complained of intense neck and back pain following the punishment and couldn’t get up.
“She was crying in pain and kept saying she could not move her back,” Gond’s father told The Mirror. “No child should be treated this way for being late.”
Her condition worsened when she got home. She was admitted to a local hospital but continued to decline. Doctors transferred her to a Mumbai hospital, where she died on 14 Nov—India’s Children’s Day.
The girl’s mother said her daughter’s health deteriorated rapidly after the punishment. She stated that making a child do sit-ups with a heavy bag was inhuman punishment that caused her daughter’s death.
Teacher Defends Punishment as Community Demands Action
Gond’s mother confronted the teacher who gave the punishment. The teacher allegedly defended the action, saying students get punished because parents complain that teachers don’t teach properly despite collecting fees.
Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir High School has faced harsh criticism after the incident. Parents and locals are demanding strict action against the school and teacher.
The MNS warned the school will remain closed until authorities file a criminal case against those responsible. Sachin More, an MNS leader from Vasai, said the girl had pre-existing health issues but was still subjected to the punishment. A teacher from the school said it’s unclear exactly how many sit-ups Gond did and whether the punishment directly caused her death.
Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed an inquiry is underway to determine the cause of death. Officials said no police complaint has been filed yet.
Corporal punishment in schools is officially banned in India but still happens. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident.
