Two maulanas (religious scholars) from Nalasopara East were on Wednesday booked for inflicting severe corporal punishment on the children studying at a local madrasa. The students, aged between six and 11, and mostly hailing from Bihar and UP, were hit with sticks and burnt with hot spoons on their legs and buttocks for not memorising lessons.

The students, pursuing a course to become 'hafiz' (one who has memorised the Quran), were hit with a stick followed by a burning ladle (spoon) on their buttocks, causing severe blisters.