Mohammad Ali Arrested for Molesting Minor Dalit Students
A village in Uttar Pradesh saw a disgusting incident. Used condoms were found in the school washrooms by parents who raided the school. Here are more details.
In a shocking incident, a government school teacher from Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district was arrested for allegedly molesting at least 18 girls, mostly Dalits. This issue came into light when one of the girls told her father that her 30-year-old computer teacher, Mohammad Ali used to inappropriately touch her and other girl students.
After the matter came to light on 13 May 2023, the angry villagers created a ruckus. The parents also raided the school and also recovered used condoms from the school's toilet. A purported video of the incident surfaced on social media. Despite receiving a complaint from the students and their parents, the principal allegedly did not take any action against Ali. The village head, Pradhan Lalta Prasad then filed a complaint against Ali. He also filed a complaint against the Principal of the school, Anil Kumar and an assistant teacher Sajia for supporting Ali. The accused has been booked under sections of The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)
The Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Based on the complaint, the statements of all the girls were recorded by police in the presence of their parents and then Ali was arrested on 14th May 2023. The students told police that their teacher used to touch them inappropriately. The girls were later taken to district hospital for medico-legal examination.
The protesting parents said that the sexual assault would have gone on had their girls not opened up. Shahjahanpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said, "The allegations are grave as all the girls are aged between 12 to 15 years and they had given their statements against the accused teacher. Investigation is going on. The accused has been sent to jail. We are also investigating the role of two other teachers."
The Education Department said that based on prima facie (preliminary investigation), Ali is found guilty and his service will be terminated. The Principal and the assistant teacher have been suspended with immediate effect. A departmental enquiry has also been ordered against them. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh minister Baldev Singh Aulakh condemned the incident and said that strict action should be taken against the accused. "We respect all castes and communities, the matter isn't about Dalits, but about the girls and action should be taken against the accused as per law."
The Education Department said that out of the 112 students, including 50 girls, only few of them turned up on 15th May . This is obviously because both parents and students, particularly girls, are scared to come to the school after what happened with those 18 girls. "The department will ensure counselling of students and parents because unless we are able to rebuild confidence among them, the student turnout will not improve. We will have to sensitize our teachers too. Simultaneously, we are trying to address the issue and strong action will be taken against the guilty."
Meanwhile, Director-General, school education, Uttar Pradesh said: "To check such incidents, all 746 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) in Uttar Pradesh which offer residential education from classes 6 to 8, will soon have an all-women staff. Contracts of all existing male staff working in these schools will not be renewed. He said this step had been taken for the safety of girl students studying in these residential schools.
