In a shocking development, the number of girl students confirming sexual harassment by the arrested principal of a government girls school in Jind, Haryana, has risen to 142, according to the district’s deputy commissioner, Mohammad Imran Raza. The principal, Kartar Singh, aged 56, was arrested on November 4, following a case registered on October 30 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The initial number of victims was reported as 60.
Deputy Commissioner Raza stated that a committee, headed by a sub-divisional magistrate, conducted a preliminary inquiry and found Singh prima facie guilty. The committee interacted with 390 girl students from classes 9th to 12th, with 142 students confirming various allegations against the principal. The case has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students in educational institutions.
The district police added further charges, including wrongful restraint, confinement, criminal intimidation, and punishment for aggravated sexual assault under the Pocso Act, after questioning Singh. The arrest came after students of the school wrote a letter on August 31, addressing authorities such as the President, Haryana governor, and the National Commission for Women, seeking action against the principal for alleged sexual assault.
The gruesome details of the case emerged when students detailed the alleged misconduct in the letter. One girl reportedly died by suicide at her home, and two others died of different reasons, all enrolled at the same school. The police are investigating whether these girls were among those who filed sexual harassment complaints.
Chief Minister ML Khattar emphasized zero tolerance for such incidents, stating that the accused would not be spared, regardless of position. He mentioned that a woman principal has been posted at the Jind school, and 16 staff members have been transferred. Additionally, Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana State Women Commission, has been tasked with organizing seminars to prevent such incidents.
The case has highlighted the urgent need for robust mechanisms to safeguard students in educational institutions, prompting calls for comprehensive preventive measures and strict legal actions against perpetrators. The tragic situation in Jind underscores the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for students and ensuring that allegations are thoroughly investigated to protect the well-being of children and young adults.
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