Panchkula school assault: 8-year-old was hooked on violent mobile games, says lawyer

The eight-year-old boy accused of assaulting a six-year-old girl at a government school in Haryana's Panchkula was addicted to playing violent mobile games, according to Manbir Singh Rathi, the lawyer representing the boy's father.

Rathi said the child disclosed during questioning that he played games in which participants attack virtual characters and objects to earn points. The lawyer expressed concern that repeated exposure to such games could make it difficult for children to distinguish between virtual actions and real-life consequences.

"When the child was questioned, he disclosed that he used to play aggressive and violent games on his mobile phone. In these games, children attack virtual characters and objects and earn points. The more they attack, the more points they get," Rathi said.

He added that virtual characters do not experience pain, and children may continue playing to improve their scores without understanding the implications of such behaviour outside the gaming environment.

"These virtual characters do not feel pain. Children keep playing with the objective of winning and scoring more points. Gradually, this can become an addiction, and getting rid of such habits can be difficult," he said.

Rathi said the boy's parents had been advised to keep him away from mobile phones and arrange appropriate counselling.

Victim's uncle had alleged boy played PUBG

The lawyer's remarks came after the victim's uncle, Fazil, alleged on November 2 that the boy played PUBG and other similar games.

"The child (who committed the attack)...it turned out he played certain types of games...aggressive games...he played PUBG, and now his father has also confirmed that he used to play PUBG and other such games, which led to these actions," Fazil had said.

The allegations about the boy's gaming habits have drawn attention to the possible influence of violent digital content on children's behaviour. However, no established link between the games and the assault has been demonstrated.

Boy released from juvenile custody

The boy was released from juvenile custody on Thursday after the defence argued that he had no previous record of violent behaviour and that keeping him at an observation home for longer could adversely affect his education and mental development.

His parents assured the Juvenile Justice Board that they would take responsibility for his counselling, behavioural improvement and rehabilitation. They also undertook to ensure that he received the necessary guidance and support.

The board had earlier sent the child to an observation home in Ambala during the inquiry into the incident.

Board orders removal of videos revealing minor's identity

The Juvenile Justice Board also directed that videos, photographs and other material related to the assault circulating on social media and public platforms be removed if they could reveal the boy's identity.

The direction followed an application filed by the defence under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which prohibits the disclosure of the identity of a child involved in proceedings under the law.

The investigating officer has been asked to submit a compliance report by November 27.

Six-year-old victim returns home after hospital treatment

The incident took place on October 28 inside a classroom at a government school in Panchkula. The eight-year-old Class 3 student allegedly attacked the six-year-old girl, who was studying in Kindergarten at the same school.

The girl was allegedly struck repeatedly on the head with a brick, thrown against a bench, dragged by her school tie and kicked several times. She sustained serious injuries and was initially admitted to Panchkula Civil Hospital before being shifted to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh for further treatment.

After remaining hospitalised for several days, she was discharged on Thursday morning and returned home.