Overview
- The headmaster of Jalpaiguri Zilla School, Dharmachand Barui, was pushed and hit during a confrontation over a Teachers’ Day midday meal and was treated at Jalpaiguri Medical College.
- Police used school video footage to identify suspects and have detained four Class X students for questioning in connection with the assault.
- State Education Minister Dipak Barman ordered Transfer Certificates for the identified pupils so they cannot return to the school while directing that they be allowed to enrol elsewhere to protect their exam eligibility.
- The district education department had placed the headmaster on 15 days’ leave, suspended classes for a week, and deployed Rapid Action Force personnel as officials continue an administrative review and police investigation.
- Families of the detained students have protested and sought higher‑level intervention, saying expulsions and police action could jeopardise a Class X pupil’s ability to sit the upcoming Madhyamik exams and deepening local tensions after parents also raised complaints about the headmaster’s conduct.