The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Chief Secretary of Puducherry to submit the status of a criminal case of four government high school teachers allegedly watching pornography on the school premises and forcing several girl students to watch it in their presence and molesting them.
Following a complaint from the Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Social Welfare Department, Puducherry, a criminal case was registered by the CB-CID police in December last against the teachers.
They were booked under the Information Technology Act, 2008, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Commission has received a complaint from A. Narayanan, a social activist in Chennai, seeking action against the offenders.
In response to the notice, the Joint Secretary of the Home Department, sent a communication, dated March 11, along with the reports of the Superintendent of Police, CID, and the Director of School Education.
He said the case was pending investigation. The accused were placed under suspension and departmental action was initiated against them.
In its notice, the NHRC said: “The Commission has considered the matter. The facts are very disturbing. The State government has taken legal and departmental action against the offenders. Let a notice be sent to the Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry, calling upon him to submit within four weeks the status of the criminal case and departmental proceedings initiated in the matter.”
‘Shoddy probe’Condemning the CB-CID for its “shoddy investigation,” Mr. Narayanan said it was yet to file a charge sheet. The department only suspended the alleged offenders and did not arrest them, as per the POCSO Act. And there was no witness protection. “As the accused were roaming free, it is clear that the victims and their parents have been coerced into not giving a written complaint,” Mr. Narayanan said.
