Pune ZP Suspends Primary School Headmaster After Case Of Molestation Of Girl By Her Teacher Comes To Light
Sumit Singh
Indapur, 20th August 2022: Pune rural police have arrested a teacher for allegedly molesting a girl in class sixth. It is revealed that the teacher had also molested another student four months ago but then he was let off with an apology.
Today, the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) CEO Ayush Prasad accompanied by Additional Superintendent of Police (Baramati) Milind Mohite, Sub Divisional Police Officer (Baramati), Block Development Officer Vijay Kumar Parit and Block Education Officer, visited the school.
Prasad said, “We interacted with the School Management Committee, Gram Panchayat, teachers etc. We tried to understand ways by which case could be strengthened if there were lapses after the shocking incident and the need for immediate measures.”
“During my interaction, people revealed that there had been a similar incident at the school in April 2022. The teacher accused in the current matter was also the accused in the previous matter. The Headmaster had taken an apology letter from him. Several members of the school management committee had also participated in the meeting in April where it was decided not to file a complaint. I immediately instructed the Headmaster to hand the apology letter to the Investigation Officer. I have requested the police to take cognisance of the matter, register a second FIR and investigate the matter. The apology letter has high evidence value as it may be treated by the court as an admission,” he added.
Prasad further said, “It was also revealed that some private people interacted with the victim child and asked questions about the incident. I have requested the Police to check if there had been any lapses as per the provision of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.”
Nirbhaya Team from Pune Rural Police would also visit the school regularly.
The decisions taken by Pune Zilha Parishad are:
1. Child Protection Officer and Counsellor were summoned. They have reached the school. They would provide support and counselling to the victims. They will also interact with all children in the school to provide them with all support.
2. The Headmaster has been suspended. A Headmaster from another school would be given charge.
3. Kendra Pramukh and Vistar Adhikari (Education) have been sent on compulsory leave.
4. The School Management Committee has been dismissed. A new committee would be formed after parent Sabha.
5. A district-level committee consisting of two senior officers would be formed to look into lapses after the incident.
Prasad said, “We have a Zero Tolerance Policy to any form of violence against women and children. We have taken strict action every time an incident has been reported.”
“Pune Zilha Parishad trained 74,000 officials, teachers, ASHA Workers and Elected Representative on preventing child Sex abuse through online training with the help of iHeal Foundation. We will work harder to ensure that no such incident is repeated,” he assured.
