8yo student beaten by teacher at ashram in Kausani; FIR lodged

Bageshwar: Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against a 21-year-old teacher for allegedly abusing and assaulting an eight-year-old student at a Kausani-based ashram in Bageshwar district on Tuesday. Members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) are set to visit the ashram on Thursday to conduct an on-ground inquiry into the matter.The boy's mother, Deepa Joshi, a Haldwani resident, said that her son, Daksh Joshi, had been studying at Anamayi Ashram since Oct 24, last year, and maintained regular contact with the family members. She alleged that her son sounded distressed during a routine phone call on Tuesday and urged her to visit the ashram and review CCTV footage of his class.Upon meeting him, she allegedly found multiple injury marks on his head, forehead and back, which resulted in bleeding. The incident has drawn attention from local organisations which have called for a thorough probe into the functioning and safety standards of the ashram, founded by a Swiss national. Students reside on campus in a hostel-like setting.Kausani SHO Kailash Negi said that an investigation is underway and further action will be taken based on evidence. "The boy was sent for a medical examination and police charged Krishna Chamola under BNS sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 352 (intentional insult), along with the Juvenile Justice Act, based on Deepa's complaint," he said.