Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

Y’nagar school teacher booked for ‘sexual harassment’ of girl students

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

GIRLS ALLEGED THAT THE TEACHER HAS BEEN USING ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND HARASSING THEM SEXUALLY FOR THE PAST ONE MONTH

KARNAL: A physical training instructor (PTI) of a private school of Yamunanaga­r was booked after five girl students filed a police complaint on Saturday accusing him of sexually harassing them.

The teacher has been identified as Virender Singh of DAV Senior Secondary School, Yamunanaga­r.

The five girl students of Class 8 to 10 reached the police station and filed a complaint against the teacher.

The girls alleged that the teacher has been using abusive language and harassing them sexually during the class for the past one month.

Following the complaint, the police have registered an FIR against the accused and ordered an investigat­ion under a deputy superinten­dent of police (DSP).

Yamunanaga­r women police station SHO Sheelawant­i said, “An FIR has been registered and police have started investigat­ions.”

She said the case has been registered under Sections 354 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the relevant sections of Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will be included after the girls provide their date of birth certificat­es to prove that they are minor.

The police officials associated with the investigat­ion said they have recorded the statements of the girls and their parents were also contacted. However, the allegation­s could not be proved yet and the investigat­ion will take more time, they added.

The police said the school authoritie­s have been informed about the matter and they have assured their support in the investigat­ions, the SHO said.

When contacted, district child protection officer Richa Budhiraja said, “We have already started investigat­ions as per the complaints of the girls. We will hold our next meeting on Monday to complete investigat­ion.”

She said the girls also alleged that they along with their parents took up the issue with the school authoritie­s two days ago but no action was taken. “This needs to be investigat­ed.”

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