A male teacher, N. Chandrasekar (24), who was accused of sexually harassing an 8 class girl student of a panchayat union school near Watrap that eventually led to her committing suicide in 2014 was sentenced to undergo seven years of imprisonment.
According to prosecution, the accused, who was appointed to the Panchayat Union School at Thambipatti on temporary basis, had been harassing the 14-year-old girl. After her father complained about his behaviour, the headmaster had dismissed him from service.
Irked over the incident, the accused had threatened her that he would not allow her to continue her studies claiming that she was instrumental for his dismissal. The girl who feared more trouble from him immolated herself at her house on May 31, 2014.
The Watrap police had registered a case under the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Harassment Act, 2012 and for abetment to commit suicide.
When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, the Mahila Court, the Judge, Rajalakshmi, found him guilty on both the charges. The court also awarded him seven years imprisonment for abetment to commit suicide and five years under the provisions of POSCO Act. The conviction was to run concurrently. The court also imposed on him a fine of Rs. 10,000 on each count.
