Belthangady: Headmaster suspended for transporting students in open vehicles on study tour

Belthangady: Headmaster suspended for transporting students in open vehicles on study tour

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Feb 13, 2026: An assistant teacher serving as the in-charge headmaster of the Government Higher Primary School in Balanja, Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, has been placed under suspension after videos showing more than 40 schoolchildren being transported in a lorry and a pick-up vehicle for a study trip on Monday, February 9, went viral on social media.

In an order issued on Thursday, Deputy Director of Public Instruction G. Shashidhar stated that assistant teacher K.S. Kiran Kumar had failed to obtain prior permission from the department to organise a study visit to a beekeeping farm on Wednesday, February 11. He further noted that ferrying students in two open goods vehicles violated child safety norms and amounted to a breach of the Karnataka Civil Services Rules.

Acting on a report submitted by the Belthangady Block Education Officer, Mr. Shashidhar ordered the suspension of Mr. Kumar pending a disciplinary inquiry.

Meanwhile, based on a complaint, the Venur police registered a case under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66 read with Section 192(A) of the Motor Vehicles Act. According to a police press release, a detailed investigation into the study tour will be conducted and appropriate legal action will follow.