Principal of residential school arrested for sexually harassing students

HASSAN: The principal of a residential school for girls in Arkalgud taluk has been arrested after about 15 girl students complained to the child helpline about sexual harassment by him. The principal Shivakumar, who hails from Kodagu district, has been arrested under the POCSO Act.

On December 18, members of the 1098 child helpline committee conducted an awareness camp for students of Classes 8, 9 and 10 at the Morarji Desai Residential School in Arkalgud, wherein they were told about good touch, bad touch and innocent touch. At this time, about 15 girls of the residential school informed the helpline committee members about bad touch by their principal.

Hassan SP Hariram Shankar said the principal Shivakumar (right) has been arrested under the POCSO Act.

Following this, the child development project officer (CDPO) visited the residential school and interviewed the students individually. After it was established that the principal was sexually harassing them, Child Welfare Committee president H T Komala lodged a complaint with the police.

Hassan Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said, “After the students complained to the child helpline, the CDPO recorded the statements of the students. After they brought it to the notice of the police, a complaint was lodged by the Child Welfare Committee and registered an FIR against the principal. The children are now being counselled and given guidance. If at all there were attempts of a cover-up, we will take action against all those involved”.

However, another teacher, Manjunath, said there are about 224 students in the school, but none of the teachers had received any such complaints. The Arkalgud Rural police have registered a case and taken up further investigation.