On July 27, 2024, Mohammad Hafiz, the former principal of HSS Bani in Jammu, and Mohammad Farooq, a lecturer at the same institution, have been quietly reinstated following a departmental inquiry into their suspension. Both were suspended in August 2023 after allegations of physically assaulting a student who had reportedly written “Jai Shri Ram” on a blackboard.
According to a government order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department on July 22, 2024, the Director of School Education has reinstated Mohammad Hafiz, citing insufficient evidence and a lack of witnesses. The order emphasised that Hafiz should “remain vigilant in the future” due to his significant role as principal and head of the institution.
#Update – #JammuKashmir Director School education has silently reinstated the accused principal & lecturer who were suspended in 👇 case, after a departmental inquiry.
While principal Mohd Hafiz was reinstated citing ‘no evidence or witness testified against him’. He is,… https://t.co/edcIcHzqzp pic.twitter.com/TheCiqbYdi
— Jammu Tweeter (@jammu_tweeter) July 27, 2024
The inquiry also led to the reinstatement of Mohammad Farooq, albeit with penalties. Farooq’s reinstatement comes with a penalty and the withholding of two increments. Both officials’ periods of suspension are to be treated as on duty, and they are to receive 10 months of back pay.
The controversy dates back to August 25, 2023, when Mohammad Hafiz and Mohammad Farooq allegedly assaulted a minor student at HSS Bani.
The student, a Class X pupil, was reportedly beaten for writing “Jai Shri Ram” on the blackboard. The incident came to light after a video of the student, who was hospitalised following the attack, went viral on social media. In the video, the student recounts the assault, naming Farooq and Hafiz as his attackers.
The Kathua Police confirmed the incident and registered an FIR against the two officials under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation). They also charged the accused under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act for assaulting and neglecting the child.
The police assured that both accused would be arrested soon. “The FIR names lecturer Farooq and principal Mohammad Hafiz as the accused who assaulted the student. They will be apprehended in due course,” a police official told media.
In response to the incident, the Jammu and Kashmir government formed a three-member high-level committee led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bani. The committee also included the Deputy Chief Education Officer of the Kathua region and the principal of HSS Kharote.
The reinstatement of Hafiz and Farooq has sparked controversy and public outcry, with critics questioning the government’s handling of the case and the leniency towards the accused. The decision has reignited debates about the safety and protection of students in educational institutions, particularly regarding how such incidents are addressed and investigated.
The controversy surrounding the reinstatement highlights ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of internal investigations and the accountability of educational officials in Jammu and Kashmir.
