Hazaribagh, May 4: Principal of St Xavier’s School Father Pradeep said today the lady teacher, who tore the ear of an 8-year-old student was forced to retire on April 30. The school authorities had given her a week’s extension. However, after this incident the extension was withdrawn, said Pradeep.

The severe act of punishment has shocked everyone. Student and political organisations accused the school authorities for neglecting such a “serious issue”. Instead of punishing the teacher, the management was trying to cover up the issue, they claimed.

The Indian Student Federation has decided to take up the issue with President A.P.J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Legislators Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Mehta and Yogendra Baitha criticised the act and demanded an inquiry.

However, Salil Mallick, father of victim Santanu Mallick, has decided to drop the case against the teacher as it might “affect” his son in the future. He said the school principal and the teacher had apologised to him.

According to sources, however, Salil was “forced” to go back on the issue since the teacher was a relative of an influential political leader.Salil changed his complaint and said the wounds were “minor scratches” as a result of punishment

Sources, at the nursing home where he was admitted, confirmed the wound required three stitches. The injury was serious and he was administered antibiotics and painkillers, they added.