Mohammad Hafiz, the former principal of HSS Bani school in Jammu, and lecturer Mohammad Farooq, who were suspended in August 2023 for thrashing a student for allegedly writing Jai Shri Ram on the blackboard, have been reinstated after a departmental inquiry, media reports said.
An order by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department said the Director of School Education had reinstated the accused principal, Mohammad Hafiz, citing a lack of evidence and witnesses to testify against him, reported OpIndia.
#Update – #JammuKashmir Director School education has silently reinstated the accused principal lecturer who were suspended in ? case, after a departmental inquiry.
While principal Mohd Hafiz was reinstated citing no evidence or witness testified against him. He is, https://t.co/edcIcHzqzp pic.twitter.com/TheCiqbYdi
Jammu Tweeter (@jammu_tweeter) July 27, 2024
The order recommended he remain vigilant in the future as he holds the vital position of principal and the head of the institution.
The committee has also recommended the reinstatement of senior lecturer Mohammad Farooq, with the imposition of a penalty and withholding of two increments, reported OpIndia.
The period of suspension in the case of both officers was treated as on-duty.
A student was beaten mercilessly by teacher, at Govt Higher Secondary School, Bani, Distt. #Kathua, allegedly for writing #JaiShriRam on black board. Students along with locals #hindu organisations are protesting demanding action against erring teacher. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/uvQGg7kb16
Jammu Tweeter (@jammu_tweeter) August 26, 2023
Apart from being reinstated, both of them will be granted 10 months of salary for their period of suspension.
The incident:
Mohammad Farooq and Mohammad Hafiz allegedly thrashed the student in the government school HSS Bani for writing Jai Shri Ram on the blackboard on Aug 23 last year.
A video of the minor victim in hospital went viral on social media later triggering an outrage and leading to an investigation by the education department.
