Delhi High Court Quashes FIR Against Teacher in Nine-Year-Old Case

The Delhi High Court has dismissed an FIR against a teacher accused of slapping a three-year-old child nine years ago. The court noted the amicable settlement between the teacher and child's family, stressing that continuing proceedings would be an abuse of the court's process given the lack of evidence.

The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR against a teacher accused of slapping a three-year-old child nine years ago for failing to recite the alphabet.

The court highlighted that both the teacher and the child's family wished to resolve the minor issue amicably, promoting harmony between them.

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta noted the slim chances of a conviction due to the amicable settlement and no past misconduct by the teacher. The initial complaint was filed by the child's mother after the boy came home with facial injuries, claiming the teacher slapped him.

The court found flaws in the investigation, including the failure to record the child's statement and the lack of involvement of a child psychologist. The chargesheet relied solely on the mother's statement, with no evidence of the teacher's intent to harm.

Referencing the Right to Education Act, which bars corporal punishment, the court nonetheless stressed that pursuing the case further would be a misuse of judicial resources.