Durg: A school principal in Chhattisgarh's Durg district was arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting a three-and-a-half-year-old nursery student and sealing her mouth with tape for greeting with the words "Radhe Radhe", a police official said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at Mother Teresa English Medium School in Bagdumar village under the jurisdiction of Nandini police station.

“The child, who is enrolled in the nursery section, was reportedly beaten and had adhesive tape placed over her mouth by principal Ila Evan Colvin after she greeted with 'Radhe Radhe',” the official said, citing the First Information Report (FIR).

Colvin was arrested under sections 115(2) and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The charges include causing hurt, outraging religious feelings, cruelty to children, and other related offences, the official added.

The incident has sparked outrage locally and raised questions over the treatment of children and respect for cultural expressions in educational institutions.