TNN | Mar 30, 2014, 05.22 AM IST

In the photo taken by Shahran Muscati, who runs an intermediate college on second floor of the building in Meraj Colony, a child is seen completely naked wearing only socks and shoes.

HYDERABAD: In a shocking incident, a school teacher in Towli Chowki allegedly stripped a 5-year old student for being 'mischievous', while the management justified the act saying it was done at the behest of the parent. The incident came to light when another occupant of the building, which houses the Embassy High School where the incident happened, clicked a photograph of the boy. 

In the photo taken by Shahran Muscati, who runs an intermediate college on second floor of the building in Meraj Colony, a child is seen completely naked wearing only socks and shoes. The boy was locked inside a room with a grill. 

"I was horrified when I saw the child. He was feeling very embarrassed as there were other kids staring and laughing at him. This was not the first time that something like this has happened here," Muscati said. He added the child was locked up in a place infested with rodents. 

When TOI contacted the principal of school Atherunissa, she initially said she would have to enquire about the incident, but on further probing said that the child was punished for being 'mischievous'. She said the teacher had stripped the child as the mother had asked them to do so. 

"The child is very mischievous. The mother complained to us that her son was troubling her at home. The boy has older siblings studying at the school against whom we received complaints too but such punishment cannot be given to them," she said. The principal also vented her ire at Muscati who snapped the photo. "Why should that man click a photo and circulate it," she sought to know. 

On discreet enquiries with the school staff, it was learned that it was a common practice to strip children and also bind their hands. When the principal got to know that TOI was making enquiries, she called and explained the incident saying that the child had excreted in his clothes and therefore had to be stripped for cleaning. 

Anuradha Rao, general secretary of Balala Hakula Sangham, termed the incident as a "very serious offence". "This is a very serious offence that could attract the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse Act that prohibits showing children in nudity and the offenders could face imprisonment. The station house officer of the police station has to book case on suo moto basis. We will bring this to the notice of Child Rights Commission," she said. 

Muscati on his part wrote to the State Minorities Commission and said he would approach the Humayunnagar Police to lodge a complaint with regard to the incident.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Andhra-school-strips-5-year-old-child-for-being-mischievous/articleshow/32936519.cms