Teacher gets life term for sexually abusing minors

Balkrishan Prashar

Chamba, January 16

Special Judge (Sessions Judge), Chamba, Rajesh Tomar has sentenced Raj Kumar, a teacher and resident of Chalama village in Bhattiyat tehsil of Chamba district, to undergo life imprisonment and other short-term rigorous imprisonments with a fine totalling Rs 1,55,000 under Sections 354 (A), 376 (2) (f), 376 (2) (f) of the IPC and under Sections 6 and 12 of the POCSO Act for sexually harassing eight minor girls.

Another accused Sardar Singh, a centre head teacher, a resident of Manola village in Bhattiyat tehsil of Chamba district, has also been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year under section 21 (2) of POCSO Act and six months under section 202 of IPC with a fine totalling Rs 15,000. Sardar Singh was sentenced for his failure to report the matter to his superior officers and the police.

Giving this information here today, Deputy District Attorney (DDA), Chamba, Kanwar Uday Singh said on October 14, 2015, the parents and guardians of the victims, studying in classes III, IV and V at the Government Primary School, came to the school and alleged that the school teacher Raj Kumar had sexually harassed their daughters.

An inquiry was conducted after which it was found that the allegations were correct. After inquiry, the SMC pradhan was also apprised about it and the statements of eight girls were also recorded, revealed the DDA.

The other accused Sardar Singh was posted as centre head teacher in the same school and had knowledge of sexual harassment of the victim girls but he did not inform his superior officers or the police about this, the DDA stated.

On the basis of the inquiry report, a complaint was filed in Chowari police station on October 15, 2015. A case was registered against the accused, the DDA further said.