‘Get a Haircut’: Principal’s Advice Ends in Murder at School in Haryana on Guru Purnima

Hisar, 11th July 2025: In a shocking incident on the occasion of Guru Purnima, a 52-year-old school principal in Hisar district, Haryana, was allegedly stabbed to death on campus by two teenage students after a confrontation over school discipline.

The victim, Jagbir Pannu, served as the principal of a government senior secondary school. Police officials said that Pannu had reprimanded the two accused — aged 16 and 17 — multiple times in the past for flouting school norms, particularly for not trimming their hair.

“The preliminary investigation points to the motive being rooted in the principal’s consistent emphasis on discipline,” said Superintendent of Police Yashvardhan. “He had repeatedly advised the boys to get haircuts and maintain school decorum.”

According to police, the students had completed a unit test on Thursday. After the exam, they approached Pannu and asked him to come outside the office. He followed them to a spot on the school premises that was not covered by CCTV cameras. It was there that one of the boys allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the principal multiple times.
Pannu collapsed on the spot. The school staff and students panicked as news of the attack spread. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

CCTV footage captured the two students fleeing the school premises shortly after the incident. Both are students of classes 11 and 12, respectively.

Pannu, a resident of Putthi village, is survived by his wife and two sons. Known as a strict but well-meaning educator, colleagues recalled his dedication to maintaining academic and behavioural standards on campus.

Teachers at the school acknowledged receiving past complaints about the boys’ misbehaviour but admitted that the concerns were not addressed thoroughly. “Jagbir sir always stood for discipline and order. He believed in shaping students not just academically but morally too,” said a colleague.

Police have registered a case and detained the minors. Further investigations are underway, including assessments of the students’ past conduct and any potential warning signs that may have been missed.