A 12-year-old student from Sativali, Vasai, died nearly a week after she was reportedly forced to perform 100 sit-ups for arriving late to school, prompting authorities in Maharashtra to open a formal investigation.
The Class 6 student passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday night. According to members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the girl and four classmates were disciplined on November 8 and told to complete 100 sit-ups each. Her mother said the ordeal immediately left her daughter in severe pain.
“After the punishment, she experienced severe pain in her neck and back, and could not get up,” the mother told local media. She also claimed the child was made to perform the sit-ups with her school bag still strapped on, describing it as an “inhuman punishment” that ultimately cost her daughter’s life.
The girl’s mother said she confronted the teacher after learning of the disciplinary action. “I was informed that the students were punished for arriving late. The teacher defended it, saying parents otherwise accuse them of not teaching the children despite paying fees,” she told reporters, adding that such discipline “does not mean forcing them to do sit-ups with bags on their backs.”
Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed that an inquiry into the death is ongoing. A teacher from the school said the circumstances remain unclear, stating, “It is not known how many sit-ups this child had done. One really does not know if she died due to it or otherwise.”
MNS leader Sachin More said the student had existing health concerns yet was still subjected to the punishment. Another teacher reiterated that the exact number of sit-ups and their direct link to her death have not been determined.
Following the incident, members of the MNS and the NCP (SP) gathered in the area to protest and demand accountability from the school.
