The manager of a residential sports school in Jalna district of Maharashtra was arrested for allegedly molesting girl students at the facility, police said on Monday, reported the PTI.
The accused, an employee of the government-run school, has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), an official said.
According to sources, a group of parents submitted a complaint to the collector on Saturday, accusing the manager of inappropriate behaviour with female students at the school, according to the PTI.
Following the complaint, a team from the education department conducted an inspection at the school, and several girls made serious allegations against the manager.
The girls, in their statements, alleged that he would take them into rooms, which were not under CCTV surveillance, and then used to touch them inappropriately, as per the PTI.
One of the girls also claimed that despite the presence of a female coach, the manager insisted on measuring her chest, which left her frightened and uncomfortable.
Block education officer said that 10 to 12 girls had complained against the accused, the news agency reported on Monday.
“We have taken the statements of the girls and registered a case at Kadim Jalna police station,” he said, adding that four girls have given a formal statement.
Sub-divisional police officer Anant Kulkarni said Kharat was arrested on Sunday night. He has been remanded to police custody for two days, reported the PTI.
School watchman held for alleged sexual abuse of two boys, says Palghar Police
A watchman at a school in Virar in Palghar district of Maharashtra was reportedly arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two male students, police said on Sunday, reported the PTI.
An official said the alleged incidents occurred between June 15 and June 20.
“After receiving the complaint from the manager of the school, we have registered an FIR against the 53-year-old security guard of the school under section 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 5,8, and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” the Arnala police station official said, according to the PTI.
The victims, aged 17 and 15, are students of the same school, police said.
Sections 4 and 8 pertain to penetrative sexual assault.
“The alleged incidents occurred in the canteen of the school,” Arnala Police stated.
The accused was arrested on Saturday evening, and the investigation is underway, police said.
(with PTI inputs)