The assistant headmaster of a government school in Salem has been arrested on charges raping a Class-XII student. While the incident is alleged to have happened four months ago, the matter escalated when the girl was found to be pregnant. On Friday, her friends and teachers picketed the school, demanding action against the assistant headmaster.
Police say the girl was studying in a government school in Kondalampatti. The assistant headmaster of the school, who was also the chemistry teacher, allegedly raped her when she was alone in the school lab. Though initially, she did not disclose the assault fearing reprehension, she opened up to her friend a few weeks ago, after she had found out that she was pregnant.
The friend informed the girl's parents and the information spread to other teachers and parents, who staged a protest outside the school on Friday. As the matter escalated, the police asked the school headmistress to file a complaint. However, the accused went missing by then. He was finally arrested on Saturday evening and remanded in Salem Central Prison.
He has been booked under various sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Medical examination has established that the girl is four months pregnant. The Chief Educational Officer has suspended the accused. The accused is married and has two children.
A few months ago, a girl student of the same school committed suicide by jumping off the school building. Police are now inquiring to see if she too faced sexual harassment. Police sources told Express that the police will produce the girl before a magistrate soon and based on the instruction given by the magistrate, the police will take the next step in this case
