The Newz Radar
MANDI: Two minor girls, studying in Class VIII and Class X, were allegedly molested by a teacher at a private coaching centre in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh.
The police have registered a case under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the teacher and started investigations. The matter has been reported at the Mandi women police station. The police have referred the affected students to the child welfare committee for counselling.
According to information, the teacher, engaged at the coaching centre at Saini locality of Mandi, has been accused of indulging in inappropriate behaviour with the Class X student in December and again five days ago.
The victim initially dismissed the inappropriate touch as an accident, but when the teacher escalated to explicit actions, she left the coaching centre and informed her friends. Her friends accompanied by her sister later brought the matter to the attention of her parents, who then approached the women police station. When the issue came to limelight, the other girl of Class VIII too came forward with her complaint against the same teacher.
The women police station has filed a complaint and is investigating the matter. According to police sources, a case was registered on January 10 under section 354A of the IPC and section 9 and 12 of the POCSO Act. The police sources said no arrest had been made yet as the matter was sensitive, and that an investigation was underway.
