Six-year-old's death sparks outrage in India after alleged classroom assault

Authorities in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh have launched an investigation into the death of a six-year-old boy who reportedly collapsed after being slapped by a teacher at his school.

The incident occurred in a classroom in Visakhapatnam and was recorded by a security camera. Footage of the incident was later circulated widely by local media, triggering renewed public concern over corporal punishment in Indian schools.

The video, verified by Al Jazeera, appears to show a female teacher holding the child by his clothing before striking him across the face. The boy then collapses.

Andhra Pradesh Education and Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh said authorities would take legal action against those responsible, including the school management.

"We are taking legal action against those responsible and the school management," Lokesh said in a post on Facebook.

Police have also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child's death. Local media have identified the boy as Pranay Tej.

In a separate statement on X, Lokesh expressed his condolences to the boy's family and condemned the use of physical punishment in schools.

"As a father, I can't get over what happened to little Pranay Tej," Lokesh said. "Corporal punishment has no place in our schools. No child should ever be subjected to violence in the name of discipline."

He said he had ordered a full investigation and promised strict action if anyone was found responsible.

Relatives reportedly gathered at the hospital following news of the boy's death and called for those responsible to face severe consequences, according to Indian broadcaster NDTV.

Pranay's father said his son appeared to be healthy when he left for school that morning.

He told NDTV that the boy woke at about 8am and was eager to attend school, insisting that he wanted to go.

Police Inspector Pudi Vara Prasad said officers registered a case following a written complaint from the boy's father.

"Following a written complaint from the boy's father, we have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS and launched an investigation," Prasad told the Press Trust of India.

Police completed an inquest and post-mortem examination before releasing the child's body to his parents. Prasad said authorities would establish the precise cause of death after receiving all relevant medical and investigative reports.

The case has also reignited debate over corporal punishment in India. Although physical punishment in schools is officially prohibited, concerns over its continued use remain widespread.

A 2018 study by Indian non-government organisation Agrasar found that about 80 percent of children from low-income communities experienced corporal punishment from teachers.

Palla Srinivasa Rao, Andhra Pradesh president of the ruling Telugu Desam Party, said the government had responded appropriately to the incident.

He said an inquiry committee had already been established and that action would follow once its findings were received.

The investigation will now focus on what happened inside the classroom, the circumstances surrounding the boy's collapse and death, and whether the teacher or school management should face criminal or other disciplinary action.