Fifth-time punishment claimed schoolboy’s life

 Mohammed Ismail, the Class X student who died after he was made to do 600 sit-ups by his class teacher, had been subjected to a similar punishment four times earlier, his family members have alleged.

The family has now demanded closure of the school even as they are yet to come to terms with the loss. "It was the fifth time that this kind of corporal punishment was given to Ismail by the class teacher. Initially, Ismail never reported the incidents to his parents due to fear. It was only while undergoing treatment at the hospital that he told his parents about the cruel punishment,'' his uncle, Mohammed Abdul Hussain, told Express.

Siddique Hussain, Ismail's father, had brought his son to Hyderabad from Dubai a few years ago. "Hussain wanted to provide quality education to his son and wanted him to learn the family culture and customs," said the relative.

"As fate had it, days after he reached Hyderabad, Ismail met with an accident in which his legs were damaged. During the course of surgery, doctors put a rod in one of the legs which enabled him to walk. With the class teacher making him do more than 600 sit-ups, his leg could not take the strain and he fell ill and could not walk. Initially, we did not know that Ismail had been punished in this manner and we thought it was only fever," Hussain said.

 He alleged that Royal Embassy High School chairman Adil was bringing pressure on police officers and trying to save the teacher, Mubin, who imposed the corporal punishment on the student.

"When kids make mistakes in classrooms, the teacher should inform their parents. Why should teachers take the harsh decision to award corporal punishment? Who is responsible for the death of Ismail?'' he asked.

Ismail's cousin Md Mukkaram said, "By the time we reached the school, police forces had already been deployed there. We suspect the school chairman is trying to hide the teacher," he added.