"Can't believe a teacher could do this": Mother of Class VI student who was molested by teacher in Odisha

A high school teacher in Rajnagar block was placed under suspension on Wednesday, August 7, for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl student.

The action was taken after the District Education Officer directed the Block Education Officer (BEO) to visit the school and submit a report.

"We investigated the matter at the school and confirmed that the teacher molested the girl last week, leading to his suspension. However, the victim's parents chose not to file an FIR against the teacher," said BEO of Rajnagar Chittaranjan Sahoo, as stated in a report by The New Indian Express.

The mother of the Class VI student said her daughter was reluctant to go to school. On asking her, she said the teacher took her to a room and molested her.

"I could not believe that a teacher could do this," the victim's mother said.

Contacted, the IIC of Rajnagar police station, Ajay Kumar Jena stated, "It is up to the victim or her parents to register an FIR against the accused teacher. The police cannot take suo motu action."

A lawyer Subas Das said, "Many victims stay silent due to the stigma attached to being a sexual assault victim and the lengthy legal process. So they choose to stay silent."