Mumbai tutor burns 8-year-old's hand with candle for ‘bad handwriting’

A private tutor in the Indian city of Mumbai has allegedly burned the hand of an 8-year-old student with a candle as punishment for poor handwriting, police say.

The incident occurred on the evening of Jul 28 at the residence of Rajshree Rathore, a tutor based in JP Decks Building in Malad East, reports NDTV.

The victim, Mohammad Hamza Khan, is a third grader at Lakshadham School and attended regular evening tuition sessions at Rathore's home from 7pm to 9pm. According to the boy's father, Mustakeen Khan, 50, Hamza's sister Rubina dropped him off for the class as usual.

At around 9pm, Rathore contacted Khan, informing him that Hamza was crying uncontrollably and needed to be picked up immediately. Upon returning home, Hamza revealed that his teacher had held his hand over a lit candle as punishment for his handwriting, resulting in severe burns to his right palm.

Hamza was rushed to a doctor before being transferred to Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital (Shatabdi) for further treatment. Following a complaint lodged by Khan, police registered an FIR against Rathore.

Further investigation is underway, police said.