LUCKNOW: In a sickening instance of corporal punishment, a 11-year-old class III student of a Barabanki school died on Wednesday, ruthlessly beaten up by the school principal over a mere pencil and eraser.

Shiva, son of one Chhavi Raj of Rahelamau village in Barabanki, was found to be in possession of “stolen” pencil and eraser on Tuesday, after a teacher searched the bags of all class three students on receiving a complaint about the missing stationery items.

Hell broke loose once the teacher informed the principal of Rahelamau Academy , Lalit Verma , about the recovery; he severely beat up Shiva, who, when he reached home, complained of stomach ache and began vomiting blood. Shiva was rushed to Fatehpur hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

There have been previous allegations against the principal of such excess; he had allegedly beaten up another student, Sudhir, son of Sajeevan, a few months ago. Sajeevan had tried to take up the issue with the school authorities, but his complaint was brushed aside. “The principal is in a habit of beating up kids, sometimes with a stick, for even small mistakes,” charged an angry Sajeevan.

Additional superintendent of police OP Singh said an FIR had been lodged in connection with the child’s unnatural death with Biddupur police station on the basis of the complaint lodged by Shiva’s father. Verma, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and detained for questioning.

Shiva’s body has been sent for post-mortem to establish the cause of death. Further action will follow on the basis of the autopsy report. Police said it’s possible the minor died of internal injuries due to the thrashing. Verma has admitted to the police of having slapped Shiva during quizzing.

Rahelamau Academy was started by a well-off NRI from the area around 10 years ago.