Teacher arrested for ‘molesting’ seven students over one year

The molestation incident in the school wasn't reported to the police who got to know from the locals.

The airport police arrested a 30-year-old teacher employed at an English medium school in Lohegaon on the charges of molesting seven girls of class VII and VIII several times over the past one year. The matter came to light after police came to know about the alleged molestation of girls by a teacher and approached the school and the parents of the girls. On November 12, some girls of class VIII told their class teacher that one of their male teachers had made a girl student stay back in classroom during recess and asked the others to leave. He allegedly touched her inappropriately, police said.

Assistant inspector Seema Dhakne, who recorded the initial statements in the case, said, “The girls told us this has been happening since long. But after the incident on November 12, they decided to approach the class teacher. We have been told the incidents stopped after that.” Senior inspector Sanjay Kurundkar said, “Even though the girls approached the class teacher, the incident was not reported to police. We got to know from local residents that there has been an incident of molestation in this school. We approached the school on Tuesday and then the parents based on information we had.”

Kurundkar added, “The parents were not ready to register a complaint. We assured them the identity of the school and victim will not be disclosed. Also, only officers in plainclothes come to the home of victims if necessary. Parents of one of the girls finally lodged an FIR.” As per the FIR, the teacher has been molesting some girls for the past one year. The FIR states that the girl told her parents about the teacher touching her inappropriately but they did not take it seriously. As per the complaint, incidents like the one on November 12 have happened earlier.

According to the complaint, the teacher, who teaches moral science, inappropriately touched at least six to seven girls of Class VII and VIII several times within a year. At a Christmas gathering, the teacher allegedly clicked photos in which he is seen touching one of the girls inappropriately on the back. Kurundkar said the teacher was arrested on Tuesday night and remanded to police custody till November 24. The suspect has been booked under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil (Zone IV) said, “We will do a thorough investigation.” When asked whether any action will be taken on the school for not reporting the matter to police, DCP Patil said, “If the probe reveals negligence, action will definitely be taken. At this stage I cannot confirm anything.”

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

First uploaded on: 20-11-2014 at 14:37 IST

Kiku Sharda says Kapil Sharma takes a backseat when others perform

EntertainmentUpdated: April 24, 2024 03:18 IST

Kiku Sharda praises Kapil Sharma's leadership and their comfortable rapport, emphasizing the importance of avoiding ego battles for a successful show. He also credits Kapil for maintaining a balance and hard work for the show's success for 10 years. The recent reunion of Kapil and Sunil Grover after their feud is a highlight.

View all shorts

Live Blog