BENGALURU: The principal of a private residential school, his wife and a teacher have been arrested by the Devanahalli police in a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case as the principal has been accused of sexually assaulting two minor sisters.
The victims initially approached the teacher to narrate their ordeal, but were told that such behaviour is common and need not be reported, the police said.
Principal Dhanajay and his wife Shailaja have been arrested by the police. Shailaja is accused of attempting to cover up the incident by coercing the victims to keep quiet and keeping them in captivity for eight days. The couple is also accused of confiscating the victims’ mobile phones, fearing that they might inform their parents.
The two girls used the mobile phone of another student and reached out to their parents, complaining about the sexual assault they went through. A police complaint was filed on Friday, and the couple was arrested on Saturday.
‘Girls fed raw papaya to avoid pregnancy’
The principal is said to have a bedroom next to the girl’s dormitory. He allegedly threatened the victims that he would fail them in their exams. He allegedly offered to waive off their school fees and give good grades if they did not inform their parents. Shailaja was feeding the girls raw papayas to avoid pregnancy, the police said.
“Dhananjay is 47 years old, while Shailaja is 45. Both have been arrested. Probe will ascertain whether there are more victims. The school has over 350 girls with a total strength of 600 students. The principal used to get drunk and then enter the girls’ dormitories late at night,” police said.
The victims approached Shailaja to report the assault, but she supported her husband. She is also accused of threatening the students that their future would be spoilt if they disclosed the incident. The couple ensured that the victims did not leave the school and confined them for eight days.