PANCHKULA, India — A 6-year-old girl from Panchkula, Haryana, who was fighting for her life after a violent attack at her school in late October has made a remarkable recovery, officials and family members said.
The incident occurred on October 28 at the Government Sanskrit Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 20, where a third-grade student allegedly attacked the kindergarten-class girl, leaving her seriously injured. The victim was rushed to a hospital and later referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh due to the severity of her condition.
CCTV footage of the attack emerged, triggering widespread outrage across the country and prompting demands for accountability from school authorities. The eight-year-old accused was dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act and sent to an observation home in Ambala, where he is undergoing counselling.
The Haryana Human Rights Commission and the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took cognisance of the incident and sought reports from concerned authorities. The Haryana Education Department constituted a committee to investigate, and Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda stated that no one found guilty of negligence would be spared. The school principal and two JBT teachers have been suspended; senior officials are supervising the ongoing investigation.
After weeks of critical condition, a new video from PGI Chandigarh showed the girl smiling while sitting in her mother's lap, indicating significant improvement in her condition. The girl also smiled during a video call with her uncle Fazil, who confirmed her condition had improved considerably. Her family described her recovery as a miracle and a "second birth," stating she has been given a second chance at life.
The family has decided not to discuss the attack with the girl due to her fragile mental state, encouraging her instead to forget the incident and focus on recovery. Well-wishes poured in from across India and abroad, including from the United States and the UAE, as the girl’s condition improved.
Her family is preparing for a grand welcome upon her discharge. The PGI director and the team of doctors continue to monitor her condition, and her treatment continues under medical supervision.
