An eight-year-old boy accused of brutally attacking a six-year-old girl at a government school in Panchkula has been granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Haryana. The Board granted bail on Wednesday, days after the boy was sent to an observation home in Ambala following his production before the Board on Saturday.
Along with the bail order, the JJB also directed social media platforms to remove all videos and photographs of the incident, reported The Indian Express. The direction came on a petition filed by the victim's father under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, seeking protection of his daughter's identity.
During the hearing, the boy's father moved the bail plea before the Board. His counsel, Manbir Singh Rathi, argued that the child has no prior criminal record and that keeping him in custody would harm his education, academic progress and overall development.
The parents assured the Board that they would provide the child with counselling, behavioural guidance and a supportive home environment. They also undertook to ensure that he attends all counselling sessions and follows rehabilitation measures suggested by the competent authority to help him understand the consequences of his actions.
What Is Panchkula School Assault Case?
The incident took place on October 28, when the eight-year-old Class 3 student allegedly attacked the kindergarten girl inside an empty classroom at a government school in Panchkula. The boy reportedly hit her with a brick and a flowerpot, banged her head against a desk, and stomped on her face and body.
The attack left the girl with serious injuries, including multiple facial fractures and a nasal fracture. She was admitted to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, and discharged on Wednesday.
The boy was produced before the Board on Saturday and subsequently sent to an observation home in Ambala.