Private school in Bhopal closed after teacher allegedly sexually harassed minors

ANI-US |
Updated: September 19, 2024, 4:32 p.m. IS

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India]September 19 (ANI): The Bhopal district administration on Thursday closed a private school after a minor girl was allegedly sexually harassed by her teacher on the school premises, police said.
According to official information, the authorities also wanted to revoke the school's affiliation in connection with the incident.
“We have sealed the school building and initiated the process of de-affiliation of the school. The order will be issued in the next few hours. Also, an inquiry committee has been set up to look into the matter and we will complete the investigation within two days,” said Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Archana Sharma.

Meanwhile, a group of people, including parents of students of the school and members of various social organizations, staged a protest rally outside the school over the alleged incident of sexual harassment.

Some protesters damaged the school sign and burned a doll of the accused outside the school premises. The protesters were heard calling for the death penalty for the accused.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, condemned the incident and ordered strict action against the accused.
CM Yadav posted a video on X and wrote, “A case of rape of a three-year-old girl by a school teacher in Bhopal has come to my attention. I have ordered that strict action be taken. Moreover, I will ensure that justice is done in this case through a special court. This act is extremely heinous, shameful and reprehensible.”
The accused teacher was arrested following a complaint from the girl's parents.
According to police, a complaint of sexual harassment of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl was filed at Kamla Nagar police station. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against the accused under sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act.
“The accused is a teacher at the same school where the girl studies. He has been identified and arrested,” Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra told ANI.
“As the victim is very young, it took some time to uncover the incident, but when we received the complaint, we immediately took action and arrested the accused. The accused has been identified as Kasim Rehan,” he added. (ANI)