Bhubaneswar private school detains at least 34 students in each classroom over "unpaid" fees.

Teachers at a private school in Bhubaneswar allegedly locked up dozens of students in a room because the guardians of the children had not paid the tuition. Irate parents held a sit-in in front of the school’s entrance in Ghatikia and demanded heavy punishment for the mistreatment their children had endured the day before from the institution. For around five hours, at least 34 students were confined together in one room.

According to their parents, even the fans were turned off and they were not allowed to eat, drink, or use the restroom. The teachers denied the children’s request to call their parents and told them they were being held back since the tuition was not paid in full on time.

The children were then given a notice by the school administration, urging them to give it to their parents. One of the parents asserted that they had already paid their tuition costs online, but that due to a technical error, it was not shown in the record. A representative for the school declined to comment on the matter. A case against school personnel has been filed at the Bharatpur police station under Section 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code as well as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act in response to the parents’ complaint, an officer said. One of the parents urged the arrest of those responsible and added that they will contact the commissioners for human and children’s rights and seek legal advice before taking any further action.