In a disturbing incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, a government school teacher has been arrested on charges of molesting at least 18 girls. The police have also charged the school principal and an assistant teacher for supporting the accused, who was a computer teacher at the school. The accused and the two alleged accomplices have been booked under various sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to Shahjahanpur Senior Superintendent of Police S Anand, a case of sexual harassment of minor girls was registered at Tilhar police station. He confirmed that 18 girls who were allegedly sexually abused would undergo X-rays as part of the investigation. The accused teacher has been apprehended, and legal action is being initiated. The Child Welfare Committee has also been informed about the case.
The incident took place in a secondary school located in Tilhar police station jurisdiction. The accused, identified as Mohammad Ali, a computer instructor, allegedly molested minor girls studying at the school. He was allegedly supported by the school principal, Anil Pathak, and another teacher named Sajia. The village head Pradhan Lalta Prasad complained of all three accused at Tilhar police station.
The matter came to light when one of the girls confided in her parents about the inappropriate behavior of the computer teacher towards her and other female students. Subsequently, the parents raided the school and found used condoms in the school’s toilet. A video of the incident also surfaced on social media, further exposing the heinous acts.
In response to the incident, the education department officials have suspended the principal and the assistant teacher. The computer teacher is also facing a departmental inquiry, which is currently underway. Kumar Gaurav, the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), stated that strict action would be taken against the accused, and the police are actively investigating the matter.
Uttar Pradesh minister Baldev Singh Aulakh condemned the incident and emphasized the need for strict action against the accused. While addressing concerns about the assault on girls belonging to the Dalit community, the minister stated that the matter should not be seen in terms of castes but rather as a violation against the girls. He emphasized that appropriate legal action should be taken against the perpetrators.
The incident has sparked outrage and demands for justice from various quarters. The safety and well-being of students, especially girls, remain a crucial concern, highlighting the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the protection of children in educational institutions.
