On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, when students across India pay obeisance to their teachers, two students from Haryana had something far more sinister planned for their school principal. Jagbir Pannu,52,principal of a senior secondary school in Hisar district, was allegedly stabbed to death on campus by two of his own students following repeated disciplinary confrontations.

The accused, aged 16 and 17 and enrolled in Classes XI and XII, had reportedly been reprimanded multiple times by Pannu for not following school norms, including instructions to cut their hair and maintain discipline.

The plot

According to police, the students appeared for a unit test on Thursday morning, after which they approached the principal in his office and asked him to step outside.Pannu was led to a part of the campus not covered by CCTV cameras, where one of the students allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him several times. He collapsed at the spot and succumbed to his injuries. School CCTV footage later captured the two students fleeing and discarding the knife in nearby bushes. Police have since recovered the weapon and are continuing efforts to locate the suspects.

Discipline at the core of conflict

Police said Pannu was known to be a strict disciplinarian. He had frequently asked students to adhere to grooming and behavioural standards and had reportedly reprimanded the accused duo on several occasions. Other teachers had also received complaints about the same students but allegedly chose not to intervene. Pannu, however, was persistent in enforcing rules.

Family and investigation

Pannu was a resident of Putthi village and is survived by his wife and two sons — Sanjeev, a doctor, and Sameer, an advocate. The incident has left the school community in shock and has reignited concerns over rising student aggression and safety in educational institutions.

Authorities are continuing the investigation and examining the background of the accused.

(With inputs from TOI)