The uncle of the six-year-old girl who was brutally assaulted by an eight-year-old student inside a government school in Haryana's Panchkula has alleged that the accused child was addicted to violent video games, including PUBG. The allegation has brought the possible influence of online gaming into focus as the investigation into the classroom attack continues.
Speaking on Tuesday, the victim's uncle, Fazil, claimed that the boy used to play aggressive games and that his father had also confirmed his gaming habits.
"The child (who committed the attack)...it turned out he played certain types of games...aggressive games...he played PUBG, and now his father has also confirmed that he used to play PUBG and other such games, which led to these actions," ANI quoted Fazil.
Fazil also recounted how the confrontation allegedly began. According to him, the boy used to tease the girl by calling her 'crazy'. When she objected and threatened to report him, he allegedly told her that her father was waiting upstairs and lured her into an empty classroom.
What Happened Inside The Panchkula School Classroom?
The incident took place on October 28 at a government school in Panchkula. CCTV footage showed the Class 3 student repeatedly punching and kicking the six-year-old girl before attacking her with objects, including a brick and a flower pot.
The assault reportedly continued even after the girl lost consciousness. The boy was also seen dragging her by her hair.
The girl's father discovered her lying unconscious and seriously injured inside the classroom after arriving at the school to pick her up. The family has questioned how the incident went unnoticed despite CCTV cameras being monitored from the principal's office.
Girl Recovers After 40 Hours Unconscious
After the assault, the girl was admitted to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. She suffered serious injuries, including fractures to her nose and head.
She regained consciousness after nearly 40 hours and was subsequently reported to be out of danger.
Providing an update on her condition, Fazil said, "She is doing better than before... For the past two or three days, she has been receiving excellent care. The doctors are monitoring her very closely; everything is being handled well," he said.
Boy Undergoes Psychological Assessment, Teachers Suspended
The allegations about violent video games have emerged as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the assault. The eight-year-old boy has been taken for a psychological assessment to evaluate his mental maturity and ability to understand the nature and consequences of his actions. The assessment report is expected to be referred to the Juvenile Justice Board for further consideration.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Education Department has suspended two Junior Basic Training (JBT) teachers over alleged negligence. The school principal has also been suspended.
The Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HSCPCR) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed report from the District Education Officer, Panchkula.
The Haryana government has also constituted a five-member committee to investigate the incident and ordered a comprehensive safety audit of schools across the state.
Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda said strict action would be taken against officials found responsible for negligence.
The allegations regarding video games have not been established as the cause of the assault. The investigation is also examining the school's supervision arrangements and the circumstances that allowed the attack to take place.