Teacher accused of sexual abuse, no FIR filed despite video evidence
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Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only BenefitsA teacher at PM Shri Hawildar Ajit Singh Government Senior Secondary School (Boys), Khemkaran, has landed in serious controversy after being accused of sexually abusing a student. A complaint was filed by Rajesh Kumar, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), in this regard, along with a video recording of the alleged incident.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Tarn Taran police released the accused without registering an FIR, allowing him to resume his duties at the school the very next day, a development that reportedly even the school’s principal was unaware of.
According to DCPO Rajesh Kumar, he received information about the incident from Deputy District Education Officer (Secondary), along with a pen drive containing the video and a written complaint submitted by school Principal Sandeep Singh. Acting on the information, Kumar forwarded the complaint and video evidence to SHO Balbir Singh of Khemkaran Police Station, and the teacher was arrested from the school premises.
“It is disturbing that despite the seriousness of the charges, the accused was let off so casually,” Kumar stated. He added that the incident took place on September 19, and he wrote a letter to Chairman, Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman on September 23. “The Child Protection Department has judicial powers to investigate such matters, and I intend to take this case to its logical conclusion,” he asserted.
When contacted, Satnam Singh Bath, District Education Officer (Secondary), claimed he had no knowledge of the matter, stating he had been away in Chandigarh for official meetings.
Meanwhile, SHO Balbir Singh said that a Daily Diary Report (DDR) had been written based on the WhatsApp video and complaint, but no written complaint had been received as of yet. “As soon as we receive a formal written complaint, an FIR will be registered,” he added.