Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Jalpaiguri schoolboys get interim bail after headmaster assault case
Four students in Class X were accused of hitting their school headmaster in Jalpaiguri.
The incident happened after they wanted a special meal meant for younger students.
The students were arrested and kept in a government-run juvenile home for two days.
They were then brought before the Juvenile Justice Board.
The board gave them interim bail.
They must attend counselling every day for one week.
After that, they must attend counselling once a week for two months.
The students will also receive transfer certificates and cannot continue at their current school.
Four Class X students arrested over the alleged assault of Jalpaiguri Zilla School headmaster Dharmachand Barui received interim bail from the Juvenile Justice Board.
The students must attend daily counselling for seven days, followed by weekly counselling for two months.
The assault reportedly occurred on September 8 after students sought a special midday meal intended for junior classes.
Education minister Dipak Barman said the four students would receive transfer certificates and could continue studying elsewhere.
The board considered that the students were not specifically named in the complaint and that the transfer certificates were already a significant punishment.
- Who
- Four Class X students of Jalpaiguri Zilla School, headmaster Dharmachand Barui, the Juvenile Justice Board, and education minister Dipak Barman.
- What
- Four students received interim bail after being arrested in connection with the alleged assault of their headmaster.
- When
- The assault occurred on September 8; the students received bail on Monday after being detained on Saturday and Sunday.
- Where
- Jalpaiguri Zilla School and the Juvenile Justice Board in Jalpaiguri.
- Why
- The students allegedly assaulted the headmaster after insisting on receiving a special midday meal meant for junior classes.
Students’ Lawyers
Board and Prosecution Considerations
Need for detention
Students’ Lawyers
The students’ lawyers argued that issuing transfer certificates was already a punishment and that detention would punish them twice for the same incident.
Board and Prosecution Considerations
The board considered the transfer certificates, the approaching Madhyamik examination, and the fact that the students were not specifically named in the complaint when granting interim bail.
Response to the assault
Students’ Lawyers
The students were released on interim bail with counselling rather than continued detention.
Board and Prosecution Considerations
The students remain subject to daily and weekly counselling, while the education minister said they could not continue at their current school.
- Students involved
- Four Class X students
- School
- Jalpaiguri Zilla School
- Headmaster
- Dharmachand Barui
- Bail conditions
- Daily counselling for seven days, followed by weekly counselling for two months
- School action
- The students will be issued transfer certificates and cannot continue at the school
- Detention
- They were kept at a government-run home for juveniles and the destitute on Saturday and Sunday
- Board rationale
- The students were not specifically named in the complaint, and the transfer certificates were considered a major punishment