A 12-year-old girl in India passed away about a week after a teacher allegedly made her do 100 sit-ups as punishment for reaching school ten minutes late. Kajal Gond, a Class 6 student from a private school in Sativali, Vasai, died at a Mumbai hospital on 14 Nov.
The incident occurred on 8 Nov 2025. The girl was allegedly forced to wear her schoolbag while performing the sit-ups.
Members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alleged that Gond and four other students were made to do 100 sit-ups each that day for reaching school late.
Student Develops Severe Pain and Dies Days Later
Gond began feeling severe pain in her lower back shortly after completing the sit-ups, according to India’s NDTV. Her mother claimed the girl complained of severe neck and back pain after being punished and was unable to get up.
“She was crying in pain and kept saying she could not move her back,” Gond’s father said, reported The Mirror. “No child should be treated this way for being late.”
Her health worsened when she got home that day and continued to decline even after she was admitted to a local hospital. She was finally transferred to a hospital in Mumbai for treatment but died a few days later on 14 Nov—India’s Children’s Day.
The girl’s mother said her daughter’s condition deteriorated rapidly after the punishment. The mother asserted that forcing a child to perform sit-ups with a heavy bag amounted to inhuman punishment and led to her daughter’s death.
Teacher Defends Actions as Community Demands Justice
When Gond’s mother confronted the teacher who gave the punishment, the teacher allegedly defended their actions. The teacher allegedly said students get punished because parents accuse teachers of not teaching despite taking fees.
Gond’s school, Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir High School, has come under heavy criticism following the incident. Parents and the local community have demanded strict action against the school and the teacher.
The MNS, a political party in the region, warned that the school will stay closed until a criminal case is filed against those responsible.
Sachin More, an MNS leader from Vasai, said the girl had pre-existing health issues and was still subjected to the punishment. However, a teacher from the school said it was unclear exactly how many sit-ups Gond did that day and whether the punishment directly caused her death.
Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed that an inquiry is underway to determine the cause of death. No police complaint has been filed so far, officials said.
Corporal punishment in schools is officially banned in India but continues to be practiced. The authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of death.
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