The Pimpri Chinchwad Police in Pune, Maharashtra, have arrested seven staff members from a local school, including the Principal, a PT teacher, a trustee, and four others, in connection with the alleged sexual harassment of a minor student. The arrests were made on Friday evening, according to police sources.
The PT teacher, who is identified as the primary accused, is alleged to have repeatedly sexually harassed the girl student over the past two years. This teacher has a prior history of similar accusations, having been previously booked and arrested under charges of molestation and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. Despite his criminal record, the school retained him, leading to the arrest of the Principal and other staff members for their negligence and complicity.
The police’s action follows a formal complaint filed by the victim’s father. The case has been registered under the POCSO Act along with Sections 74, 78, 79, 351(2), and 115(2) of the Indian Penal Code at the Nigdi police station within the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate.
Investigations into the case are ongoing as authorities seek to uncover further details surrounding the harassment and the roles of the accused school staff. This incident has raised significant concerns about the safety and management of educational institutions and the oversight of staff members with a history of misconduct.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Police have emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the involvement of multiple staff members in the case highlights a severe lapse in the school’s safeguarding procedures. The case underscores the critical need for rigorous background checks and vigilant oversight in schools to prevent such incidents and ensure a safe environment for students.
