Bhubaneswar, April 21: The headmaster of Saruabilli Upper Primary School in Odisha’s Jajpur district was suspended on Tuesday following serious allegations of subjecting students to corporal punishment using stinging plants.
According to reports, the incident occurred on April 17 when headmaster Basudev Dehuri allegedly instructed students to collect stinging plants and place them inside their trousers as a form of punishment. Acting on his directions, several students reportedly complied, resulting in severe irritation, pain, and visible distress.
The matter came to light after the affected students returned home and informed their parents about the incident. Alarmed by the allegations, a group of parents rushed to the school, confronted the headmaster, and staged a protest demanding strict action.
Taking cognisance of the issue, the Sukinda Block Education Officer (BEO) conducted a preliminary inquiry into the allegations. Based on the initial findings, authorities placed the headmaster under suspension pending a detailed investigation.
Officials stated that further inquiry is underway to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident and fix accountability. The case has sparked concern over student safety and the need for strict enforcement of rules prohibiting corporal punishment in schools.
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