A principal of a government school in Bengaluru facing allegations of sexually harassing students and teachers was released on bail on Wednesday. This, just a day after he was arrested.
Police had booked a case under sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to police, the Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Shadashivanagar Kumar Thakur allegedly sexually harassed teachers and students through his WhatsApp texts.
“The Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sadashivanagar, Kumar Thakur, allegedly sexually harassed teachers and students through his WhatsApp texts. He had also allegedly threatened to stop paying the teachers their salary if they filed a complaint,” DCP Central Chandragupta told TNM.
“He would call girl students of 12th standard to his room. He had lewd conversations with them. Some of the students complained to a teacher,” someone close to the investigation said.
The person also told TNM that what was most shocking was Thakur back at the school after he was out on bail. “He came to school on Thursday. He signed the register and coolly went to his office. What is disturbing is that he tried to search for some of the girls who could have been the complainants.”
The teachers filed a complaint with the Child Helpline on January 14, after which the Child Helpline nodal officer approached Police Commissioner Praveen Sood on January 24.
The Police Commissioner had put DCP Central Chandragupta in charge of the investigation.
Counselors are talking to the teachers and students and are trying to recreate the series of events.
Officials of the state education department told India Today that according to Karnataka Child Protection policy, a person booked in such charges should be suspended.
As Kendriya Vidyalayas are managed by the union government through the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Thakur has been sent on leave, reported India Today.
In another incident, on December 29, a 56-year-old private school principal was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing minor girl students.
After complaints filed by parents of some of the students, police registered a case against the principal under sections of POCSO.
Officials of the state education department say that under the Karnataka Child protection policy, a person booked in such charges should be suspended, but since KVs do not fall under the state government, Thakur has been sent on leave.