Junagadh school principal, warden accused of inappropriately touching minor students, parents refuse to file complaint
A principal and a warden of a school in Junagadh’s Bhesan were booked for inappropriately touching two minor students. Though the parents refused to file a complaint, a trustee of Ma Aamar Shaikshanik Sankul filed a complaint at the Bhesan police station on Monday against school Principal Keval Lakhanotra, and Warden Hiren Joshi, allegedly for touching the private parts of the two children. Two other children are said to have witnessed the incident. Based on this, the police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and Child Protection laws. The police have taken both the accused into custody. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage to check if similar acts were committed against other children.Soon after the complaint, the parent of one of the alleged victims claimed to have watched the CCTV footage and stated that the teachers were simply ‘joking around’ with the students, and no inappropriate conduct had occurred. The parent appealed not to defame the institution, suggesting that attempts were being made to tarnish its reputation.Lalit Savaliya, a school trustee, claimed that efforts were being made to defame their institution and said an internal inquiry would be conducted. If anything is found, action will be taken. He alleged that social media is being used to malign the school. According to him, the child who made the accusation later admitted to being influenced or pressured to say so. The academic advisor of the institution, Kalpesh Rakholiya, claimed to have reviewed all the footage and found nothing inappropriate. Nevertheless, both staff members were dismissed from their positions.Moreover, Geetaben Malam, chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, along with her team, rushed to Bhesan to investigate. She stated that statements of students, trustees, the principal, and teachers have been recorded. Although the CCTV footage did not reveal any serious misconduct, further investigation will be conducted if necessary, she added.According to police, the students’ parents have declined to file a formal complaint.
A principal and a warden of a school in Junagadh’s Bhesan were booked for inappropriately touching two minor students.
Though the parents refused to file a complaint, a trustee of Ma Aamar Shaikshanik Sankul filed a complaint at the Bhesan police station on Monday against school Principal Keval Lakhanotra, and Warden Hiren Joshi, allegedly for touching the private parts of the two children.
Two other children are said to have witnessed the incident. Based on this, the police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and Child Protection laws.
The police have taken both the accused into custody. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage to check if similar acts were committed against other children.
Soon after the complaint, the parent of one of the alleged victims claimed to have watched the CCTV footage and stated that the teachers were simply ‘joking around’ with the students, and no inappropriate conduct had occurred. The parent appealed not to defame the institution, suggesting that attempts were being made to tarnish its reputation.
Lalit Savaliya, a school trustee, claimed that efforts were being made to defame their institution and said an internal inquiry would be conducted. If anything is found, action will be taken.
He alleged that social media is being used to malign the school. According to him, the child who made the accusation later admitted to being influenced or pressured to say so.
The academic advisor of the institution, Kalpesh Rakholiya, claimed to have reviewed all the footage and found nothing inappropriate.
Nevertheless, both staff members were dismissed from their positions.
Moreover, Geetaben Malam, chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, along with her team, rushed to Bhesan to investigate. She stated that statements of students, trustees, the principal, and teachers have been recorded.
Although the CCTV footage did not reveal any serious misconduct, further investigation will be conducted if necessary, she added.
According to police, the students’ parents have declined to file a formal complaint.
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