Courageous Students Expose School Headmaster's Misconduct

A headmaster in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district has been suspended and charged with sexually harassing female students. This follows reports from a 13-year-old girl’s mother and the bravery of three students who contacted Childline. Efforts are underway to apprehend the headmaster.

A government school headmaster in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district faces serious allegations after female students accused him of sexual harassment, officials announced on Saturday. The authorities have suspended the accused, following a complaint lodged by the mother of a 13-year-old student at Charhi police station on April 15.

District Superintendent of Education, Akash Lal, stated that the headmaster's misconduct had persisted for months, instilling fear among the students that led to school absences. However, three courageous girls reached out to Childline on 1098, disclosing the harassment.

Childline authorities and volunteers promptly visited the school to support the students, who revealed the headmaster's threats of harm if they exposed him. Legal actions have been initiated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act, with a police search underway to locate the accused, said Kundan Kant Vimal, Charhi's police officer in charge.

(With inputs from agencies.)