In Sibin S.V. v. State of Kerala & Anr. the Kerala High Court clarified that minimal corporal punishment by a teacher for maintaining discipline is not per se illegal. The petitioner, a school teacher, was booked under Section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act for allegedly beating a student with a cane. The Court held that a cane does not qualify as a “dangerous weapon” under Section 118(1) BNS. It further observed that Section 75 of the JJ Act requires proof of cruelty with mala fide intent. In the present case, there was no evidence of serious injury, excessive force, or cruel intention. The medical report showed no external injuries. Recognising the doctrine of in loco parentis, the Court stated that teachers possess limited authority to enforce discipline through reasonable means. Since the act lacked mens rea and excessive force, the FIR was quashed as an abuse of process.