India, April 17 -- The Delhi high court on Wednesday slammed Delhi Public School, Dwarka, for allegedly confining students to the library and barring them from classes over non-payment of "unauthorised" fees. Terming the conduct "shocking," the bench said the school was treating students in a "shabby and inhuman way" and suggested that the government criminally prosecute the principal for torture.

"The controversy over fees does not give you the license to treat students with such indignity," the court said, adding that the institution was being run as a "money-making machine." The judge said the school "deserved to be shut down" for its treatment of children.

The observations came while hearing an application filed by a group of parent...