Panchkula school attack: Mental health assessment finds 8-year-old accused child’s condition abnormal

Panchkula (The Uttam Hindu): A significant revelation has emerged regarding the eight-year-old boy accused of carrying out a life-threatening attack on a six-year-old girl at a government school in Haryana's Panchkula district. His mental health assessment report has found that his mental condition is not normal. According to doctors, he requires special care and treatment. The child's mental mapping test was conducted at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh. The hospital has submitted its report to the Panchkula Police.

The police will now present the report before the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board. The child will also be produced before the board. Based on the report and other findings, the board will decide whether it is safe to send him home with his parents or whether he should remain in a juvenile home. A panel of three doctors prepared the report after assessing the child's cognitive abilities, reasoning skills, behaviour and mental condition.

It may be recalled that on October 28, 2026, an eight-year-old student attacked a six-year-old girl studying in kindergarten at a government school in Sector 20, Panchkula. The accused pushed the girl to the ground and banged her head against a bench. He then attacked her with a brick and flowerpots. Even after the girl lost consciousness, he continued beating her. The girl was initially admitted to a hospital in Panchkula and was later shifted to PGI Chandigarh in critical condition. Two days after the incident, on October 30, a video of the attack went viral.

Taking action in the case, Panchkula Police registered a case on October 31 against the school principal, two female teachers and the security guard. The Education Department suspended the principal and both teachers. The Haryana Commission for Protection of Child Rights also took cognisance of the matter and sought an investigation report. The accused child was sent to a juvenile home in Ambala.

Meanwhile, the condition of the girl, who was seriously injured in the attack, is improving. She is now out of danger and has started smiling and playing as she did before. She is also eating food and wants to return home. However, doctors are keeping her under observation.