Ludhiana, June 19 -- Kuldeep Singh, principal of the School of Eminence (SOE) for boys in Jawahar Nagar, has been reinstated nearly five months after his suspension over a controversial incident that drew public outrage. In January, just weeks before board exams, students were made to haul sandbags on the school premises, allegedly as punishment for arriving late.

The reinstatement order, issued on June 16, states, "Kuldeep Singh has been reappointed to the same school against a vacant post following his request. The inquiry against him remains incomplete." During his suspension, Vishwakirat Kahlon, principal of SOE in Model Town, had held the additional officiating charge of the school.

The incident, which took place on January 24, spa...