Queen Mary’s School principal sent on leave after maid’s ‘molestation’

NEW DELHI: The principal of Queen Mary’s School in Tis Hazari was asked to go on leave by the Delhi Diocese, which manages it, following allegations that her brother-in-law had molested a maid at the campus.

The move came after a meeting chaired by the Bishop Warris Masih of the Delhi Diocese.

“Though the allegations are yet to be proved, we have asked the principal to go on leave. Another senior faculty will be in-charge of the school for the time being. There is another meeting next week,” he said.

The woman worked at the principal’s house on the campus. On July 12, she attempted suicide by consuming phenyl when the principal reportedly did not take action and threatened to expel her two children from the school.

HT reported on Saturday that the woman alleged she was sexually harassed by Vinod Thomas for a year and a half. But she chose to remain silent for her children’s sake. In the FIR registered on Friday, she alleged she was molested and disrobed by Thomas on June 30 and July 1.

The principal could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Police said Thomas was granted anticipatory bail. “We will investigate the case on merit. All the allegations will be probed,” said deputy commissioner of police (north) Madhur Verma.

The woman said she would continue the fight. “My mother who has been working in the school for the past 22 years was harassed because I chose to speak out.”