The Unguturu police on Tuesday arrested three of the four accused from Maris Joseph Memorial (MJM) College, for allegedly encouraging minor girls to take up “illegal activities” in the institute.
Police arrested wardress Vijaya Kumari, administrative officer Bhaskar Rao and a private person Bhaskar, who had allegedly behaved indecently with minor girls of the college. The fourth accused and secretary and correspondent of the institute, Teressa is absconding, said the Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) V. Geetha Devi. The involvement of some other influential people attached to the institutions was being probed. The police registered cases against the accused under Sections.366 (A) of IPC (kidnapping, procreation of a minor girl), Sec.354 of IPC (indecent behaviour), Section.342 of IPC (wrongful confinement) and Section.384 of IPC (extortion).
The accused were produced in Gannavaram court on Tuesday. A hunt has been launched to arrest Teressa, said the ACP (East) who is investigating the case.
A few days ago, the students and women's organizations staged a dharna in front of MJM Vocational Junior College at Athkur village, alleging detection of wrongful activities on the college/hostel premises. They demanded action against the institute management. Responding to the allegations, the Women Development and Child Welfare Department officials lodged a complaint with the police. City Police Commissioner N. Madhusudhan Reddy directed Ms. Geetha Devi to inquire into the allegations. The Police and the Women Development and Child Welfare officials interacted with a few students, college staff and some locals and verified the records. During inquiry, it was found that Bhaskar, a native of Kakinada, who used to frequent an NGO in Vijayawada, had visited MJM Junior College several times and behaved indecently with the students. The wardress, administrative officer and the secretary had not taken any steps to provide security to the girls in the hostels and remained silent on the issue. The management detained about 150 students illegally in the hostels which did not have permission, said the officials.
Women Development Child Welfare Project Director V. Swaroopa Rani said the Government would take all measures to provide protection to MJM College students.
