Teacher Caned Students for Discipline, Not Harm, Says HC; Dismisses Case

Kochi, October 25, 2025: The Kerala High Court has quashed a criminal case against a Palakkad schoolteacher who caned three Class 5 pupils for fighting, ruling that he acted within his authority to maintain classroom discipline.

Justice C Pratheep Kumar, delivering the order on 16 October, stated that the teacher’s actions were intended to correct the pupils and help them grow into responsible citizens, not to inflict harm. The case had been filed by Vadakkencherry police after parents complained that the teacher struck their children on the legs during class at on 16 September 2019. The complaint was lodged four days later on 20 September.

The court noted that there was no explanation for the delay and no proof that the children suffered injuries, indicating that only minimal force had been used. It found that the teacher had “no intention to cause harm beyond what was necessary to enforce discipline” and had acted with restraint.

Calling the prosecution “unfortunate”, the court stated that parents had failed to understand the teacher’s intentions. It said that when a child is entrusted to a teacher, there is implied consent for the teacher to exercise parental authority to correct the pupil.

With this reasoning, the High Court dismissed the criminal proceedings, affirming a teacher’s right to maintain discipline within reasonable limits.

Courtesy: TOI