Moradabad: 7 year old student goes blind after being slapped by principal, inquiry underway

A seven-year-old girl from Moradabad has lost her eyesight after she was allegedly slapped by her school principal. The incident, which reportedly occurred a month ago, came to light after the child’s mother, Jyoti Kashyap, approached the district magistrate on Tuesday, seeking immediate medical help, as reported by TOI.

Kashyap said she had confronted the principal of the government primary school, demanding answers. Instead of an explanation, she claimed she was "manhandled." Recalling the alleged assault, she said, "The principal slapped my daughter on her face, causing her severe discomfort and subsequent blindness. She was being treated in Moradabad, but as her condition worsened, she was referred to AIIMS Delhi. However, the waiting time there was too long."

Following her appeal, district magistrate Anuj Singh directed the chief medical officer to intervene and ensure proper medical attention for the child.

Medical Report Confirms Optic Atrophy

The child's condition was assessed by Dr P K Pandey, an ophthalmologist in Moradabad, who diagnosed her with optic atrophy—a condition where the optic nerve deteriorates, leading to vision loss. His report, accessed by TOI, confirmed that the girl’s blindness was a result of this damage.

While the family struggles to secure treatment at AIIMS Delhi, their biggest concern remains the alleged assault that triggered the situation.

Education Authorities Initiate Probe

In response to the mother’s complaint, Moradabad’s Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Vimlesh Kumar, has ordered an investigation against the school principal. However, he suggested that the child may have had an existing eye condition that worsened due to a separate incident.

"Preliminary investigations suggest the student was suffering from an eye disease that worsened after she was hit by a fellow student. However, we will thoroughly investigate the case and comment after the report comes in," Kumar told TOI.

The inquiry report has been requested by Thursday evening. Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts, the accused principal has remained unavailable for comment.

Unanswered Questions, A Family in Distress

The case has raised serious concerns about student safety and accountability in schools. If the allegations are proven true, it points to a grave violation of a child's rights. For now, the child’s family is left waiting—not just for answers, but also for the medical help she urgently needs.