BENGALURU: Headmaster Mahabaleshwar Hebbar of B Channadandra Higher Primary School in Bengaluru, who was suspended for alleged sexual harassment on January 27, is absconding and is said to be hiding in Bijapur.
When complaints of sexual harassment against the headmaster surfaced last year, the parents of the abused children and locals let off Hebbar only with a warning.
However, the warning did little to keep Hebbar in check. He allegedly continued to harass students, specially from the sixth and seventh standards.
Gowaramma, vice-president of Janawadi Mahila Sanghatana, said her organisation was recently in the school for an educational programme when she heard about the incident. She added that on January 27, a complaint was registered against Hebbar under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
“Following this, he was suspended. The sad thing is that he is still out there and the police are yet to arrest him. We had received a written complaint from the children about what he did to them, their statements were video-recorded. About 25 students spoke up against the headmaster. Block Education Officer (BEO) Bengaluru North-3, Ramesh, and the local police, who had come to the spot, have been given all documents,” Gowramma said.
The children said that Hebbar touched them inappropriately and also spanked them.
A girl said that he kissed her on the pretext of giving her money. He would often stare at girls inappropriately, Gowramma said.
BEO Ramesh said the headmaster had applied for VRS. After the complaint was filed, his VRS request was cancelled and he was suspended. “A report was prepared and sent to the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, and they too have taken serious note of the incident,” he said.
Kripa Amar Alva, Chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights, said they have sought a report from the BEO and are following the case.
“The headmaster is absconding and there are reports that he is hiding in Bijapur. The police has been asked to trace him at the earliest,” Alva said.