Government School Teacher in Uttar Pradesh Faces POCSO Charges for Alleged Molestation of Students
In a disturbing incident from Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, a government school teacher has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly molesting multiple girl students. The case has sparked outrage and prompted swift action from authorities.
Details of the Allegations and Police Investigation
According to police reports, the assistant teacher, who hails from Ghaziabad, is accused of targeting girl students in classes 6 to 8 at a composite school. The parents of the affected students filed a formal complaint at a local police station, alleging "inappropriate behaviour" that had been ongoing for several months. The teacher reportedly exploited his position by calling girls under the pretext of checking their notebooks, showing them obscene images, and then touching them inappropriately. The FIR further states that he threatened to kill the students if they resisted his advances.
Initially, the complaint mentioned three victims, but subsequent police investigations have revealed that at least nine girls were subjected to similar acts by the accused. The school has an enrollment of around 150 students, highlighting the potential scale of the abuse.
Official Response and Actions Taken
In response to the allegations, the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), Praveen Kumar Tiwari, suspended the teacher on Friday. Tiwari emphasized that a departmental inquiry has been launched, and strict action will be taken if the teacher is proven guilty. The accused, who joined the school two years ago through a mutual transfer from Dhaurhara, is currently on the run. Police teams are actively searching for him, as confirmed by Kheri deputy SP, Jitendra Parihar.
An officer involved in the case disclosed that the FIR was registered under relevant sections of the POCSO Act. So far, statements from three students have been recorded as part of the ongoing investigation. The case underscores the critical need for vigilance and robust mechanisms to protect children in educational settings.
