The Kendriya Vidyalaya principal, who was booked under POCSO and faces the charge of sexually harassing a student, was suspended on Thursday by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), more than a fortnight after the alleged incident. The principal Kumar Thakur had been arrested and later released on bail after which he had visited the school.
P. Devakumar, Deputy Commissioner, KVS Regional Office, confirmed that the KVS Commissioner had suspended Kumar Thakur.
The principal faces a preliminary internal inquiry by the KVS. During the preliminary inquiry, it emerged that even teachers had complained of sexual harassment and expressed their helpless at the turn of events.
“After detailed examination of the Enquiry Report, the Commissioner, KVS placed the accused principal Kumar Thakur under suspension with immediate effect. In order to ensure free and fair inquiry, the KVS had earlier transferred the accused principal on administrative grounds to KV Karwar,” a press release by KVS stated.
According to the police, a high school student had complained that the principal had sexually harassed her and made lewd remarks with sexual overtones. Upon receiving bail, the principal returned to the school and interacted with students and teachers where he allegedly tried to intimidate the complainant.
Despite the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy (CPP) mandating that any person booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act should be suspended, he was asked to go on leave before being transferred to KV Karwar. This prompted the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) to summon IAS officer Santosh Kumar Mall who is the commissioner of KVS.
Timeline
January 2nd week: ChildLine 1098 tipped off that KV students were sexually harassed by principal Kumar Thakur
January 25: ChildLine lodges police complaint
January 31: Kumar Thakur arrested
February 1: Released on bail
February 2: Principal returns to school, interacts with students and teachers. KV regional office tells him to go on leave
February 7: Transferred to KV Karwar
February 9-14: Inquiry committee conducts probe in school
February 16: Thakur is suspended
