Approximately 142 young girls enrolled in a government school in Jind, Haryana, have reported to authorities that the principal has harassed them sexually over a six-year period.
The deputy commissioner of Jind district, Mohammad Imran Raza, made the following statement to ANI on Wednesday: “A probe committee led by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has recorded the statements of 390 girls in total and we have forwarded complaints of 142 instances of sexual assault on girls to higher officials of the Education department for further action. Of these 142 girls, the majority accused the principal of sexually assaulting them while the rest said they were witnesses to the horrific acts. The accused principal is currently behind bars.”
Importantly, on August 31, about fifteen girls had written to the President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, National Commission for Women, State Commission for Women, and other relevant parties on the alleged heinous deeds committed by the principal.
The letter was received by Jind Police on September 13 after being acknowledged by the Haryana Women’s Commission. But it was said that the cops took their time to register the FIR.
The defendant was taken into prison on November 4, appeared in court on November 7, and was then placed under judicial custody.
It was previously reported by the state women’s commission that sixty girls from the government school came forward to testify against the principal. However, officials have reported that the number has now increased to 142.
Police took 1.5 months to file the complaint
In analysing the case, a legal expert stated that the POCSO Act, particularly sub-sections 19, 20, and 21, stipulate that a FIR must be filed as soon as possible if a report of sexual harassment against a minor girl is made. The expert further stated that the district officials, including the police and officials of the Education department, did not act promptly.
The topic of why it took the police 1.5 months to file a formal complaint against the accused was also raised by activists.
“The principal was prima facie found guilty during an investigation conducted by a team of three (district) officials of the rank of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM),” the deputy commissioner said to ANI. “Now a chargesheet will be prepared against the accused for his dismissal and denial of perks that come with his job.”
The deputy commissioner stated that Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Harish Vasisth has been assigned to conduct additional inquiry into the incident and that a decision on further action against the arrested will be made following the filing of the chargesheet.
On November 16, a six-person Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Deepti Garg was established to look into the claims made against the principal.
The investigation team was instructed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Shrikant Jadhav to submit a report in ten days and set up therapy for the young females the principal was allegedly preying on.
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