HHRC orders probe into complaints from Govt Senior Secondary School, Sanoli Khurd
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has sought action-taken reports from the state education department and district authorities following allegations of student harassment and deficient infrastructure at Govt Senior Secondary School, Sanoli Khurd in Bapoli block of Panipat district.
The complaint, taken cognisance of by Justice Lalit Batra, chairperson of the commission, lists multiple concerns raised by students and their guardians. The allegations include the use of abusive and derogatory language by the principal, threats to strike students' names off the school rolls, and forcing pupils to sit outside classrooms.
Photographs submitted by the students prima facie showed deficiencies in infrastructure and unsafe electrical conditions, the commission observed.
Students also claimed that the classroom assigned to Class XII-B had reportedly remained locked for two to three months, compelling them to attend lessons outdoors. The complaint described exposed electrical wiring hanging from the ceiling and the absence of electricity in that classroom. It further alleged shortage of desks and benches and that students were not permitted to use fans during hot weather.
Sanitation, attendance and alleged collection of money
The petitioners asserted that the school lacked adequate functional toilets, forcing pupils — particularly girls — to defecate in the open. Other allegations set out in the complaint include irregular attendance by the principal and collection of money from students purportedly for repairing school walls.
The commission observed that, if established, these charges could amount to serious violations of children’s rights to dignity, education, safety, health and sanitation, and protection from degrading treatment. It referred to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, noting that schools are obliged to provide the prescribed minimum infrastructure and facilities. The commission also recalled that education is an integral part of the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Directions to education department and district authorities
HHRC has directed the Director General, Secondary Education, Haryana, to have the allegations examined by a senior directorate officer and to file an action-taken report. The commission has also ordered an independent verification of the claims made in the complaint.
| Allegation | Action ordered by HHRC |
|---|---|
| Abusive language and threats by principal | Examination by senior directorate officer; action-taken report required |
| Locked classroom for Class XII-B; students forced to sit outdoors | Independent verification of infrastructure and conditions |
| Unsafe electrical wiring; no electricity in classroom | Verification of electrical safety and infrastructure deficiencies |
| Shortage of desks/benches; denial of fan use | Inspection and report on provision of basic amenities |
| Inadequate functional toilets; open defecation reported | Assessment of sanitation facilities per RTE norms |
| Alleged irregular attendance of principal; collection of money | Probe into attendance records and financial collections |
The commission has underscored statutory obligations under the RTE Act, 2009 that mandate minimum facilities in schools. It has asked that the report state whether the prescribed norms are being met and to identify deficiencies requiring immediate remedial action.
- The HHRC has taken cognisance of a complaint concerning Govt Senior Secondary School, Sanoli Khurd, Bapoli block, Panipat.
- A senior directorate officer from the state education department must examine the allegations and submit an action-taken report.
- An independent verification of infrastructure, electrical safety and sanitation facilities has been ordered by the commission.
The commission’s directive places responsibility on both state and district education authorities to investigate the matters raised and to remedy any confirmed lapses in infrastructure, safety and administration in the Panipat school. The outcome will determine whether further action is warranted under human-rights and education statutes.
