Muzaffarnagar Slapping Case: SC Dissatisfied With UP Education Dept for Non-compliance With Orders

The Supreme Court (SC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the state of Uttar Pradesh and its Education Department for their failure to comply with the former's orders "concerning the counselling and admission for the student victim in the infamous Muzaffarnagar school slapping case."

The statements were made by the bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal while hearing a petition filed by social activist Tushar Gandhi. The petition seeks a proper investigation in the Muzaffarnagar case against the teacher "who instigated the students in the class to slap the victim, a Muslim boy, by taking turns."

The matter came to light when the video of the incident involving the primary school teacher named Tripta Tyagi went viral in August 2023. In the video, Tyagi allegedly made "communal remarks targeting the religion of the victim."

To rectify the failure on the part of the state of UP, the Court has decided to appoint the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to help in the matter.

"We find that the state of UP and, in particular, the Education Department has not complied with various orders passed by the court from time to time starting from September 25. No proper counselling has been conducted for the victim child and other children involved. To say the least, the approach of the state, as can be seen in the affidavit, is shocking," the order stated.

Furthermore, the order goes, "We, therefore, appoint TISS to suggest the mode and manner of extending counselling to the students. TISS will also suggest the names of expert child counsellors who can extend counselling under the supervision of TISS."

For the next hearing scheduled on December 11, the Court has directed the Principal Secretary of the Education Department to be present virtually.

"...to avoid any strong action by the court, we hope and trust that the Secretary will personally look into the matter and ensure that the orders passed by this are complied with in letter and spirit, and affidavits are placed at least three days in advance before next date."

This is not the first time the Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the UP authorities. Earlier, the Court had criticised the UP police for delaying the FIR and invoking less serious offences.