The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Durg, seeking an inquiry into a case where a government-aided missionary school principal allegedly beat a three-and-a-half-year-old girl and taped her mouth shut for greeting her with the words “Radhe Radhe” instead of “Good Morning.”
Mother Teresa school's Principal put tape on nursery class baby girl just for greeting with Radhe Radhe.
Now Priyanka Gandhi won't speak like she did in case of Nun detained? pic.twitter.com/Whm3lbIHMB
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) August 1, 2025
The incident occurred on 30 July 2025 at Mother Teresa English Medium School in Bagdumar village, Nandini area of Durg district. According to police, principal Ila Evan Colvin entered the nursery classroom during an inspection when the child, described as shy and quiet, greeted her with “Radhe Radhe.” Colvin allegedly struck the girl’s wrist with a stick and sealed her mouth with tape for about 15 minutes. The tape was reportedly removed by the class teacher.
The girl’s father, Praveen Yadav, said his daughter returned home shaken, pressing her finger to her lips, and later recounted the assault. She also showed injury marks on her hand. Yadav approached the village sarpanch, Damini Sahu, before filing a complaint at the Nandini Nagar police station.
Police registered a case under Sections 115(2) and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which covers cruelty to children and outraging religious feelings. Colvin was arrested on Wednesday but released on bail the same day.
Yadav alleged that only mild sections were applied in the FIR and expressed shock that the principal resumed her duties at the school the very next day. Fearing further trauma, he withdrew his daughter from the school.
The incident triggered local outrage, with Bajrang Dal workers visiting the police station to demand strict action.
Following a complaint filed by Swati Goel Sharma, editor of Rashtra Jyoti, NHRC Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of the matter, stating there were prima facie “serious violations of the human rights of the victim and the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009.”
The NHRC has directed the DM and SP to:
- Conduct a detailed inquiry and submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
- Facilitate the girl’s admission to a school of her parents’ choice, including under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act if she falls under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.
- Provide the child with psychological counselling and ensure safe school access.
The girl’s family belongs to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. Yadav said he will take time off work to secure a new school for his daughter but fears that her involvement in a police case may impact future admissions.
A battery of lawyers reached court to get instant bail for the missionary school principal who beat up and taped the mouth of a Nursery kid for saying Radhe Radhe
The girl’s father – who complained to police – got little support from his village and had to even take his daughter… pic.twitter.com/kXsZx3Obmd
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) August 12, 2025
(With inputs from Rashtrajyoti)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
