By Sagaya Fernando | November 20, 2025
Vasai, Maharashtra, INDIA: A 13-year-old girl from a private school in Vasai died after allegedly being forced to perform 100 sit-ups with her school bag on her back as punishment for arriving late. The incident has triggered public outrage, the arrest of a teacher, and multiple investigations into the school’s functioning and infrastructure.
The punishment was reportedly imposed on November 8 by teacher Mamta Yadav, who allegedly made several students perform sit-ups for reaching school 10 minutes late. The Class 6 student returned home with severe discomfort and swelling, and her condition worsened through the day, according to her mother, Sheela Gaud.
The girl was first admitted to a hospital in Vasai and later shifted to JJ Hospital, Byculla in Mumbai, where she died a week later. Waliv police registered an FIR late Tuesday November 18 night and arrested Yadav on Wednesday November 19 under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Senior Police Inspector Dilip Ghuge confirmed that the post-mortem report has been received and statements from eyewitnesses, students, and staff have been recorded. “The inquiry is at an initial stage. If negligence is found on the part of the school administration, strict action will follow,” Ghuge said.
The victim’s mother accused the school of “inhuman punishment,” claiming her daughter was made to perform sit-ups with a heavy school bag on her back. She also alleged that the school refused to bear medical expenses even after the girl’s condition became critical.
School Found Operating Illegally
The girl’s death prompted a scrutiny of the Sativali-based private school, revealing multiple irregularities. An inspection by the education department found that the school had been illegally enrolling students for Classes 9 and 10 despite official permission only up to Class 8.
Officials also discovered that the school was operating out of a chawl-like structure lacking basic infrastructure. The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) had earlier declared the structure illegal and placed a warning sign at the entrance, which the school allegedly concealed.
Local activist Terence Hendriques criticised the civic body, saying its responsibility did not end with merely placing a notice. “Had the VVCMC taken action earlier, this tragedy could have been avoided,” he said, demanding immediate notices to all illegal school structures.
Sources confirmed that VVCMC has now issued a notice asking the school management to produce all permissions required to run classes from the premises.
Protests and Public Anger
The incident sparked protests from local residents and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers, leading to swift police action. The teacher has been removed from her position, while separate inquiries by the education department and VVCMC are underway.
Police added that the deceased student had pre-existing health issues and may not have been able to withstand the excessive physical strain.
As the investigation continues, the girl’s family and activists are demanding accountability from both the school and civic authorities to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated.
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