In a shocking incident highlighting grave lapses in child safety, three staff members from a private school on the outskirts of Chennai were arrested on Wednesday. The arrests followed a complaint by a 17-year-old student who reported being raped by a teacher on the school campus.
Arrests Made After Student's Brave Disclosure
The Tambaram Police Commissionerate took swift action after the survivor confided in her parents. The primary accused, a teacher, was arrested for the alleged sexual assault which occurred on the school premises approximately a month ago. However, the case took a more sinister turn with the arrest of the school's headmaster and another teacher, both charged with attempting to cover up the crime.
According to the police, the parents approached the headmaster a day after their daughter revealed the trauma. Despite their plea for action, the headmaster failed to report the matter to the authorities. This inaction constitutes a clear violation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which mandates immediate reporting of such incidents by persons in authority.
A Systematic Cover-Up Unraveled
Investigations by the Vandalur All Women Police Station, where the complaint was transferred for further probe, revealed a disturbing attempt to silence the victim. Police officials stated that another teacher, who became aware of the incident, warned the student of dire consequences if she disclosed it to anyone, including her parents.
"The parents complained about this to the school headmaster. But he failed to report the matter to police," a police official emphasized, underscoring the institutional failure. The deliberate attempt to bury the complaint led to the arrest of the headmaster and the second teacher alongside the alleged perpetrator.
Legal Repercussions and Official Warnings
The all-women police station registered a formal case under the stringent POCSO Act. All three arrested men were produced before a magistrate court and remanded to judicial custody. The Tambaram City Police Commissionerate issued a strong statement vowing strict action against crimes targeting children and against those who attempt to cover them up.
Officials used this grim incident to urge all educational institutions across the region to prioritize child safety above all. Schools have been reminded of their legal and moral duty to maintain secure environments for students and to report any suspicion or instance of abuse without delay to the nearest police station.
In a move to protect the identity and privacy of the minor survivor, the police have withheld the name of the school. Authorities have also reiterated the importance of community vigilance, urging anyone with information about child abuse to contact the national child helpline at 1098 or approach their local police station immediately.
