BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed Human Resource Development Ministry to conduct a detailed inquiry into the alleged sexual harassment of girl students by teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Malkangiri, and initiate immediate action.
The Commission has taken serious note of inaction by the school Principal in the matter even after it was brought to his notice. The Secretary, School Education of HRD Ministry, should be asked to conduct an inquiry against the principal and accused teachers and action taken as per law. An action taken report in the connection should be submitted within eight weeks, the Commission ordered.
While the incident had taken place in January this year, the Commission, acting on a complaint filed by rights activist Prabir Kumar Das, had directed Malkangiri SP to submit a report on the issue. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, the SP had submitted his report stating that two girls studying in Class V were sexually harassed by a Physical Education teacher and a Computer Teacher. While cases under different Sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 have been registered at Malkangiri police station, the investigating officer has already submitted chargesheets against both the accused.
The petitioner had also alleged that the matter was reported to the school authorities but they did not take any action. The matter was then taken up with the Collector following which an FIR was lodged with police. The complainant has requested a fair inquiry, appropriate punitive action against the guilty and adequate relief for the victim girls.
As the Principal did not take any action despite being informed he appears to be guilty of dereliction of duty, the report had stated. “Let the Secretary, School Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, be asked to conduct an inquiry against the Headmaster/Principal and both the erring teachers and take action against them as per law,” it ruled.