Kochi: Things have reached a point where teachers in the state are now taking classes out of fear of criminal cases being imposed on them, said the Kerala High Court. The court has made this observation while issuing a verdict cancelling a case against a teacher who had beat a class VII student for verbally abusing her. The incident occurred after the teacher reprimanded the student for placing his legs on the desk during class.

While delivering the verdict, Justice A. Badharudeen referenced the example of Ekalavya from the Mahabharata, who cut off his thumb to offer as ‘Gurudakshina’ to his teacher without hesitation. The judge said that this sterling concept of teacher- student relationship has become outdated and "upturned". 

The court expressed concern that the growing trend of portraying teachers' disciplinary actions as criminal offenses would harm the functioning of schools. Justice Badharudeen remarked that such developments could have serious implications for how the next generation is guided and mentored.

Although the student was not physically harmed, the Vadanappally police had registered a case against the teacher under sections of the Juvenile Justice Act. However, the court found that the teacher had no intention to cause harm, and thus cancelled the case. The court also directed that no further proceedings should take place in the matter before the Chavakkad Magistrate Court.