VISAKHAPATNAM: Indian authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a six-year-old boy who collapsed after being slapped by his teacher at a school in Andhra Pradesh, triggering widespread outrage over corporal punishment.
Security camera footage from the school in Visakhapatnam shows a female teacher holding the child by his clothes before slapping him, after which he collapses. The footage was widely circulated by Indian media.
This is so heartbreaking!
In a school in Visakhapatnam, a 6 year old collapsed and died, over fear of being punished, UNDRESSED for not doing his homework! While the teacher slapped the child, it looks more like he was so fearful he just collapsed. She was also tugging his… pic.twitter.com/MxvKG8cFyA— Gargi Rawat (@GargiRawat) August 21, 2026
Local media identified the boy as Pranay Tej.
Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh said legal action was being taken against those responsible and the school management.
“Corporal punishment has no place in our schools. No child should ever be subjected to violence in the name of discipline,” Lokesh said, adding that he had ordered a full investigation.
Police investigate cause of death
Pranay’s father said his son appeared healthy before leaving for school and had insisted on attending classes that morning.
Relatives gathered at the hospital following his death and demanded strict action against those responsible.
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Police Inspector Pudi Vara Prasad said authorities registered a case following a written complaint from the boy’s father and launched an investigation.
The child’s body was handed over to his family after an inquest and post-mortem examination. Police said the exact cause of death would be determined after all relevant reports were received.
The incident has renewed concerns over corporal punishment in Indian schools, despite legal protections intended to shield children from physical violence.
A 2018 study by Indian non-governmental organisation Agrasar found that around 80 percent of children from low-income families surveyed had experienced corporal punishment from teachers.
Palla Srinivasa Rao, Andhra Pradesh president of the ruling Telugu Desam Party, said a committee had been formed and action would be taken based on its findings.
