The boy, son of a local shepherd, was struck so hard he collapsed and fled the madrasa’s compound, disappearing into the rugged hills.
Local villagers spotted the bruised child walking alone, and they immediately called the Child Welfare Committee, which rushed him to a hospital in Kishtwar for urgent treatment.
Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar announced that an FIR will be registered against the teacher and that the case will be forwarded to the Juvenile Justice Board. "After the medical examination, we will produce the child before the Juvenile Justice Board," Kumar said.
The teacher, whose identity is pending investigation, faces charges under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Child rights activists demanded that the teacher and the madrasa administration be held accountable, calling the incident a violation of basic child‑rights.
The boy, who has been placed under counseling by the committee, described the teacher’s blows as a routine punishment, claiming other children were also beaten for the same pretext.
The investigation is expected to conclude by the end of next month, after which a hearing will be scheduled at the Juvenile Justice Court.