23-oct-2025, Kerla High Court
In Abhuthahir v. State of Kerala (Crl.M.C. No.7164 of 2024, decided on 16 October 2025), the Kerala High Court quashed criminal proceedings against a school teacher accused of corporal punishment under Section 324 IPC and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The Court held that the teacher acted bona fide in maintaining discipline in the classroom and did not have any intent to harm the students.
Case Details
Case Title: Abhuthahir v. State of Kerala
Court: High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam
Coram: Justice C. Pratheep Kumar
Date of Judgment: 16 October 2025
Case No.: Crl.M.C. No.7164 of 2024
Crime No.: 585/2019 of Vadakkencherry Police Station, Palakkad
Advocate for Petitioner: Sri. V.A. Johnson (Varikkappallil)
Senior Public Prosecutor: Sri. A. Vipin Narayan
Offences Alleged: Section 324 IPC and Section 75 JJ Act
Result: Criminal proceedings quashed
Background of the Case
The petitioner, a mathematics teacher at Mambad CAUP School, was accused of caning students who were fighting in class. On 16 September 2019, when a scuffle broke out among 5th-standard students, the teacher intervened using a cane and struck the legs of the children involved in the fight. A complaint was later lodged by the parents, leading to the registration of Crime No.585/2019 under Section 324 IPC and Section 75 JJ Act.
The petitioner contended that he acted in his official capacity as a teacher to maintain classroom discipline and had no intention to cause harm. He sought quashing of the criminal proceedings under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
Court’s Observations
Justice C. Pratheep Kumar relied on earlier precedents such as:
K.A. Abdul Vahid v. State of Kerala (2005 (2) KLT 72)
Rajan @ Raju v. Sub Inspector of Police (2019 (1) KLT 119)
Jomi v. State of Kerala (2024 (2) KLD 230)
The Court reiterated that a teacher has implied authority from parents to enforce discipline and correct students. Corporal punishment, when imposed reasonably and without malice, does not amount to an offence under criminal law.
The Court noted that:
The children were fighting with sticks.
The teacher used minimum force, only on the legs of those involved.
The incident was reported four days later, with no medical evidence of injury.
The teacher’s conduct was motivated by discipline, not cruelty.
Judgment
The Kerala High Court held that:
Since the petitioner had used only minimum corporal punishment, that too, only for enforcing discipline in the class, it is evident that he had no intention to cause any hurt to the students beyond what is required for enforcing discipline.”
Finding that the prosecution was unwarranted, the Court quashed all further proceedings in S.C. No.577/2023 pending before the Additional Sessions Judge-I (Special Court), Palakkad.
Legal Significance
This judgment reaffirms that:
Reasonable disciplinary action by teachers, undertaken in good faith, does not constitute an offence.
The intent behind the act is crucial in determining criminal liability under Section 324 IPC and Section 75 JJ Act.
Courts will protect teachers acting responsibly to maintain school discipline, provided the action is proportionate and without malice.
Keywords
Kerala High Court, corporal punishment case, teacher caning students, Section 324 IPC, Section 75 JJ Act, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, Kerala criminal law judgment, school discipline law India, child protection vs discipline, Justice C. Pratheep Kumar, Tacit Legal.
This article cover the legal point on teacher beating students legal or illegal how to quash case on teacher beating. further you can read here important judgements and legal principles laid down by Hon’ble supreme court of India, this article is posted by Advocate Shivaji Rathore (J&K high court jammu) for more important legal topics stay connected with us, on tacit legal we post on YouTube channel also named as Tacit Legal helpful for Law students newely enrolled Advocate in India and other states, Follow us on Instagram also, Read our articles on important Questions of Law. #tacitlegal visit my website Tacit Legal dot in search on google, this website is made from Hostinger and wordpress follow our latest updates for legal news follow us on YouTube also for young lawyers law students helpful for Advocates, this blog is written by Advocate Shivaji Rathore practicing in Jammu and Kashmir high court and district court at Jammu. The website Tacit Legal is available on Google created with Hostinger and wordpress keep in touch and read our daily articles and reporting for law students and advocates as we provide you important legal information on Tacit Legal.in
Author: Advocate Shivaji Rathore
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