60 girl students of the school accused of sexual exploitation
Chandigarh: More than 60 girl students have filed a complaint of sexual harassment against the principal of a senior secondary school for girls in Jind, Haryana. The state government has suspended the accused Kartar Singh after investigation. He is still absconding. The Haryana State Commission for Women is investigating allegations by two girl students that they may have committed suicide due to sexual harassment by their principal. Commission chairperson Renu Bhatia told the media that 60 girls have accused the principal of sexual harassment. “We are also investigating serious allegations that two girls committed suicide due to sexual harassment by the principal.”
The victim girls, in a five-page handwritten letter to the National Commission for Women on August 31, said that the principal was sexually harassing the girl students with the help of a female teacher. He alleged that the principal had installed black glass in the window of his room. One of the girls said in the complaint, “A female teacher sends the girls to the principal’s room to meet her. The principal touches the girls inappropriately and also speaks in foul language.” The lead complainant said the principal molested her twice and when she asked him to stop, he threatened to expel her from the school. The girl said, “The principal asked me to support him, otherwise be prepared to face serious consequences. He has sexually harassed many girls.”
For its hearing, the State Women’s Commission on Thursday summoned the accused, the DSP leading the SIT formed in the case, police officers and officials of the Education Department. “It is a matter of grave concern that the accused against whom such serious allegations have been leveled has not yet been arrested. The Commission will take up the issue with government officials at higher levels to take action against the police officers.” Bhatia said. Upon the intervention of the National Commission for Women, the Haryana government suspended the accused principal on October 27. Also, on October 31, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act and Section 354 (assault). Outraging the modesty of women under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
