August 21: A six-year-old boy died after allegedly being assaulted by a teacher at a private school in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with CCTV footage reportedly showing the child being struck shortly before he collapsed. His family has alleged that he was punished over incomplete homework.
The child, identified as Pranay Teja, was a student at Little Garden School in the One Town area. According to his family, a teacher allegedly hit him with a stick inside the classroom. He was subsequently taken to King George Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police and revenue officials have launched an investigation. The child’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination, which is expected to establish the precise cause of death.
Family alleges assault over homework
Pranay’s family said the boy appeared healthy when he left home on Thursday morning. His father said the child insisted on going to school despite some initial hesitation from his parents, as examinations were approaching.
“He woke up around 8 am and said he wanted to go to school. He insisted on going. We thought the exams were coming up, so we let him go,” the father said.
The family said they received no communication directly from the school about the incident. Instead, they were alerted by local cooks near a relative’s workplace that something had happened to the child.
By the time the family reached King George Hospital, doctors had declared him dead, they said.
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CCTV footage becomes key evidence
The boy’s father alleged that the teacher frightened and beat Pranay with a stick, following which the child collapsed.
CCTV footage reviewed in connection with the case reportedly shows the teacher striking the child before he falls into her lap. The circumstances leading to the child’s collapse and death are now being investigated by the authorities.
The family has rejected any possibility that the boy was suffering from a pre-existing illness.
“He was playing happily last night and woke up fine this morning. He did not have viral fever or any other health problem,” his father said.
A doctor reportedly told the family that the child had died around 30 minutes before reaching the hospital.
LKG Student Dies After Allegedly Being Hit by Teacher.
Six-year-old Pranay Tej from Little Garden School, Vishakapatnam collapses after being shamed(tried to strip), reprimanded and slapped by teacher for not completing homework.
Was rushed to hospital but it was quite late 😔 pic.twitter.com/JbrLk1sw5J
— D (@Deb_livnletliv) August 20, 2026
Relatives allege repeated corporal punishment
Family members have also alleged that physical punishment was not an isolated incident and claimed that other students had previously been beaten at the school. They have demanded strict action if the allegations are established.
Revenue Divisional Officer Dilip Chakravarthy visited the hospital as officials began collecting information about the incident.
Police have registered a case and are examining the CCTV footage, statements from the family and school staff, and other available evidence. The post-mortem report is expected to play a crucial role in determining how the child died and whether the alleged assault contributed to his death.
Authorities are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death, and the allegations against the teacher remain subject to investigation.
