A 12-year-old girl from Vasai, Maharashtra, died after being punished with sit-ups for arriving late to school, leading to the arrest of her teacher. Police confirmed that she was made to do sit-ups, along with other late students, after reaching school on 8 November.

Senior Police Inspector Dilip Ghuge told ANI that a case has been registered and the investigation is still in its early stages.

“Her post-mortem has been done in that. The post-mortem report has been received. Based on eyewitness statements, including those of school teachers and other students, a case FIR has been registered, and the teacher has been arrested... The inquiry is ongoing and at the initial stage. If there is negligence on their (the school administration's) part, then action will also be taken against them,” he said.

Police said the girl complained of pain and swelling after she returned home from school. Her mother took her to a hospital for treatment. She was later shifted to JJ Hospital on 13 November as her condition got worse.

Ghuge added, “The girl's parents say that because of coming late to school, the teacher made her do sit-ups, and that is why our daughter lost her life.”

The child’s mother, Sheela Gaud, accused the school of negligence and said her daughter had to do sit-ups with her school bag.

"Permission was not granted because my daughter was late. Because my child was late, she was made to do sit-ups with bags hanging from her, along with many other students... When my daughter came home at five in the evening, she said that her back was hurting... Since then, her problems kept increasing, and ultimately she died,” she said.

She added that doctors at the first hospital said her daughter had become stiff and frightened due to the punishment.

The girl’s mother claimed that when her daughter was admitted in critical condition, the school refused to cover medical costs. She said the school administrator asked her to leave the hospital instead of helping with treatment expenses.

Police said they will also check the school administration’s role and take action if negligence is found.