A Class 12 student reportedly shot and killed his school principal in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district on Friday afternoon, following a reprimand for arriving late, police said.
The 17-year-old boy fled the scene on the principal’s scooter after the incident, which occurred around 1:30 pm. However, he was apprehended within hours, according to Inspector Pushpendra Yadav of Orchha Road police station.
The teenager was tracked down near the district’s border with Uttar Pradesh, with authorities also recovering the weapon used in the crime. According to Inspector Yadav, the accused was known for his unruly behavior at school.
The 17-year-old allegedly shot Principal S K Saxena, 55, in the head with a locally made pistol near the toilet at Dhamora Government High School. Superintendent of Police Agam Jain confirmed that the victim died instantly at the scene. City Superintendent of Police Aman Mishra stated that only one shot was fired during the attack.
“As per the initial investigation, the accused was upset after being scolded for arriving late both on this occasion and in the past,” said City Superintendent of Police Aman Mishra, who was leading the investigation at the crime scene.
Saxena had been serving as the principal of the school for five years, according to in-charge district education officer R P Prajapati.
Harishankar Joshi, a teacher at the school, described Principal Saxena as a “gem of a person” and criticized the accused as a “notorious lad” who attended school at his own discretion.
“Principal Saxena would counsel such students, and if things didn’t improve, he would involve their parents. He maintained cordial relationships with all the staff,” Joshi added.
Harishankar Joshi, a teacher at the school, spoke to reporters, calling Principal Saxena a “gem of a person” and describing the accused as a “notorious lad” who attended school whenever he felt like it.
“Principal Saxena would counsel such students, and if their behavior didn’t improve, he would call their parents. He had good relationships with all the staff,” Joshi shared.