Maharashtra Tragedy: 13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Harsh School Punishment

Vasai, Maharashtra | November 17, 2025 A heartbreaking incident from Vasai has shocked Maharashtra, raising serious questions about school discipline and student safety. A 13-year-old girl, Kajal Gaud, lost her life after allegedly being forced to do 100 sit-ups with her schoolbag on her back for arriving ten minutes late to school. The punishment, given on November 8 at Shri Hanumant Vidya Mandir in Vasai (East), left her in severe pain and set off a chain of health complications that ended in tragedy. Kajal, a Class 6 student, reportedly returned home that day struggling with pain from her neck to her lower back and told her mother she felt unwell. Her condition deteriorated quickly. She was first admitted to a hospital in Vasai, then shifted to another local facility, and eventually transferred to JJ Hospital in Mumbai as her health grew worse. Despite doctors’ efforts, Kajal passed away around 11 pm on Friday, coinciding painfully with Children’s Day. While the Waliv police have registered an accidental death report, the family firmly blames the school and the teacher for the extreme punishment. A police officer said that further action depends on the post-mortem results, which will help establish whether the punishment directly contributed to her death. A local MNS functionary claimed that Kajal had pre-existing breathing issues, which may have made the punishment even more dangerous. After Kajal’s death, MNS workers reached the school and locked its gates, demanding accountability. Her mother recalled how her daughter returned home unable to move properly and complaining of intense back pain, which only worsened through the day. A school representative, Vikas Yadav, stated that the school would accept responsibility if the post-mortem confirms that the punishment led to her death. Meanwhile, the Vasai education office has begun collecting details and assessing the school’s practices. Another troubling revelation surfaced during the inquiry: the school is officially permitted to operate only up to Class 8 but has reportedly enrolled students of Class 9 and 10. This practice, common in parts of the Vasai-Virar region, is illegal, according to the education officer, who assured that corrective action would follow. Political leaders have also stepped in. NCP (SP) leader Rohit Sasane demanded that strict charges be filed against the school authorities. Locals and parents have expressed fear and anger, calling for stronger policies to prevent such punishments and protect children from harm. Kajal’s death has opened a wider conversation about outdated and extreme disciplinary methods in schools—methods that can inflict deep physical and emotional harm. As her family waits for justice, the incident stands as a grim reminder that discipline should never come at the cost of a child’s life. Maharashtra Tragedy: 13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Harsh School Punishment A heartbreaking incident from Vasai has left the state shaken. A 13-year-old girl, Kajal Gaud, lost her life after she was allegedly forced to do 100 sit-ups with her schoolbag on her back for arriving late by just ten minutes. What began as a punishment turned into unbearable pain, leading to a rapid decline in her health and, ultimately, her tragic death. Her family says she came home exhausted, unable to move properly, and complaining of intense back pain. She was rushed to multiple hospitals before being shifted to JJ Hospital, where she passed away. The police have registered an accidental death report, but the family insists the school and teacher must be held accountable. Authorities are now awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the exact cause and link it to the punishment. The incident has sparked anger among locals, with demands for strict action and scrutiny of the school, which reportedly enrolled classes beyond its permitted limit. This devastating loss highlights the urgent need to rethink harsh disciplinary methods. No child should suffer or lose their life because of punishment. Justice for Kajal is now a collective demand.