THOOTHUKUDI: Nine boys of a government school have been detained on charges of sexually torturing their classmate recently. They were shifted to the borstal school in Tirunelveli late on Wednesday after a case was registered under the Pocso Act and were produced before Juvenile Justice Board.
The incident came to light after the parents of the traumatised boy took the matter to the class teacher, and later a formal complaint was filed at the All-Women Police Station, Vilathikulam, leading to the FIR under the sections of the BNS and the Pocso Act.
Sources said that the suspects had allegedly assaulted their classmate, removed his trousers, squeezed his private parts and sprinkled chilli powder.
The crime took place at the classroom of the government higher secondary school on August 18 when the teacher was absent.
The suspects and the victim are Class 8 students aged 13 years.
Inquiries revealed that the students allegedly teased and humiliated the schoolboy on several occasions.
Meanwhile, the Chief Education Officer said that a preliminary inquiry is on with the teachers, and a showcause notice has been served to the teachers as part of a detailed inquiry.
“A joint counselling by the child welfare department, health department and police was given to the affected student. The issue is under investigation. I cannot comment on it,” the chief educational officer said.
