Panchkula: The brick allegedly used by a Class III student to repeatedly assault a six-year-old KG girl at a Panchkula school was being used as a makeshift doorstop in the classroom.Police investigations have revealed multiple instances of negligence. According to officials, the brick, kept to hold the classroom door open, was allegedly used by the boy to attack the girl, causing serious injuries to her face in an incident that has shocked residents and left parents concerned about student safety.Another major lapse, police said, involved the school security guard. The girl had allegedly been lured to a first-floor classroom used by Classes XI and XII. Since the senior students’ shift had ended, the room was vacant. After the assault, the boy allegedly left the girl lying injured and bleeding on the floor.Instead of checking the classroom, the guard allegedly shut and locked the door with the injured child still inside.“Had the boy not disclosed her location and had the CCTV footage not been checked, the girl may have remained inside the room much longer. We could have been searching for her elsewhere. This lapse could have proved even more detrimental to her health,” a police officer said.The matter came to light when the auto-rickshaw driver who routinely ferries students informed the girl’s family that she had not reported to the pick-up point at dispersal time. Her father, a barber, then rushed to the school in search of his daughter.Boy allegedly misled familyPolice said the boy later approached the family and told them that the girl had been beaten up by some other students. When the family located her in the classroom, she was in a critical condition. Her father reportedly fainted after seeing her injuries.Subsequent examination of CCTV footage allegedly revealed that the same boy had attacked the girl using a brick and a dustbin. Police said he also allegedly dragged her by the hair, banged her against a bench and kicked her in the face.“The boy initially claimed that other students had assaulted her. After reviewing the CCTV footage and questioning him again, he admitted to beating her, claiming that she used to tease him,” a police officer said.The boy was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Panchkula, on Saturday and was sent to the Observation Home in Ambala.His brain-mapping test will be conducted again at PGIMER on Monday. Police said further legal action would depend on the findings of his mental health evaluation. Investigators are also probing whether excessive exposure to violent gaming may have influenced his behaviour. His parents are being questioned.Meanwhile, the girl is said to be recovering well at PGIMER.Principal suspendedTaking serious note of the incident, the Haryana education department on Sunday suspended the principal of govt school, Sector 20. During the suspension period, her headquarters will remain at the office of the District Education Officer, Ambala. Two teachers had already been suspended on Saturday.No arrests had been made in the FIR registered against the school management till the filing of this report. “We are probing the matter, and further action will be taken based on the findings,” a police officer said.
