Two BMC teachers detained for molesting students

Two teachers with the Urdu section of the BMC-run Shastrinagar school at Vakola in Santa Cruz have been detained following a complaint of alleged molestation of 10 to 15 girls in Classes II to VII by a colleague.

Senior PI Mahadeo Wavale, Vakola police station, said the police are waiting for parents of the alleged victims to lodge a formal complaint. He added, “We have also learned that a disgruntled colleague who was transferred out of the school may have made the allegations over past enmity with the duo. We are verifying the same.” Police said the detained teachers have been identified as Mohammad Yakub Rashid and Sheikh Nadeem Mohammad.

Local civic activists and member, education committee, BMC, Ritu Tawde, had approached the police on Friday. Ms. Tawde’s aide, Ashok Bairagi, said, “Ms. Tawde visited the school this morning and spoke to some of the victims and recorded their statement on video. These have been shared with the police.”

He added, “A Class VI student has stated that she was forcibly kissed by her teacher on at least three occasions. The other victims have said they were touched inappropriately by the two teachers.”

Despite repeated attempts, principal Nuzhat Sayyed, was unavailable for comment.

The writer is a freelance journalist