Palghar, Maharashtra: A Class 6 student at a private school in Palghar district has died nearly a week after allegedly being forced to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.

Anshika Gaud, a student at the school in Sativali, Vasai, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday night.

According to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members, Anshika and four other students were made to perform 100 sit-ups each on 8 November for arriving late to school.

Anshika’s mother alleged that her daughter died as a result of an “inhuman punishment” administered by her teacher, who reportedly made her do the sit-ups with her school bag on her back.

Sachin More, an MNS leader from Vasai, said that Anshika had pre-existing health problems but was still subjected to the punishment.

A teacher from the school said, “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.”

Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed that an inquiry is underway. “The probe will reveal the exact cause of her death,” he said. No police complaint has been filed as yet.

Speaking to the media, Anshika’s mother said her daughter’s health deteriorated rapidly after the corporal punishment. “After the punishment, she experienced severe pain in her neck and back, and could not get up,” she said.

She added that when she confronted the teacher about her daughter’s condition, the teacher justified the punishment, saying it was necessary as parents otherwise complain about teaching standards despite paying fees.

“I told the teacher that punishing the students does not mean forcing them to perform sit-ups with bags on their back. The teacher gave my daughter inhuman punishment, which led to her death,” she said.