Telangana: Class 10 boy brutally beaten by seniors in hostel; 7 suspended after viral video

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A Class 10 boy was brutally beaten by Class 12 students on the school campus in Telangana's Rajapeta. The victim, a 10th class student from Chada village, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, NDTV reported.

The incident took place at the Social Welfare Residential School and College, where a group of 20 senior students allegedly attacked the 10th class student with sticks and bats, leading to multiple injuries and subsequent hospitalisation.

After the incident occured late on Saturday night, it was, as per the report, concealed by the school administration. However, a video of the attack was circulated on social media and the incident became public on Tuesday after the victim’s parents, Lavanya and Sudarshan, came across the videos rushed to the school.

The victim, who has been studying at the residential school since fifth class, was targeted because he holds the position of the school's vice-captain. As per the report, the senior students were unable to accept a junior student holding a position of responsibility, which led to the attack.

The group of 20 students allegedly stormed into the boy’s room with sticks and bats, verbally abused him, and began beating him. When a friend tried to record the assault on a mobile phone, the attackers, as per the report, switched off the lights and continued to beat him in the dark.

Five other Class 10 students who attempted to shield the victim were also assaulted. Two of them suffered serious injuries and were shifted to a hospital in Bhuvanagiri, while the remaining students received first aid at the Gurukulam’s in-house dispensary.

The parents and their relatives confronted Principal Sudhakar and the teaching staff, expressing anger over the administration’s failure to prevent the assault and its alleged attempt to conceal the matter for four days.

“They tried to kill my only son,” Lavanya said, showing reporters the bruises on the boy’s back and chest.

The family staged a protest outside the college for over two hours, demanding strict action against the Principal, staff, and all students involved. They also accused the administration of gross negligence, claiming that unchecked behaviour on campus has led students to become addicted to banned substances such as gutka, alcohol, and cigarettes. The parents have also sought their son’s Transfer Certificate (TC).

The victim stated that he was targeted because the seniors resented his role and responsibilities as Vice-Captain. His family has demanded that an FIR be filed against all 20 assailants.

Responding to the allegations, the Principal acknowledged the incident and said the school had conducted special meetings and counselling sessions over the past two days. He announced that seven students from both Intermediate and Class 10 who were found responsible for the violence had been suspended, the report added.

He also assured that a special meeting with all parents would be held on Thursday to initiate counselling and implement strict measures to prevent such episodes in the future.

However, the administration’s handling of the incident—its initial secrecy, the delay in action, and the growing evidence of severe disciplinary lapses including unauthorised mobile phone usage, students freely leaving campus, and the rise of “gang-style” attacks using weapons—has drawn strong criticism.