Six Students Allege Sexual Harassment by Teacher in Himachal Pradesh

Allegations of Misconduct in Sirmaur District

Sirmaur: A troubling incident has emerged from the Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh, where six female students from a government school have accused their Hindi teacher of sexual harassment. Authorities have initiated a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and teams are actively searching for the teacher, who is currently on the run.

Students Speak Out After Months of Harassment

The Superintendent of Police for Sirmaur, NS Negi, confirmed the allegations, stating that the teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct and ongoing sexual harassment. The students found the courage to come forward after enduring months of misconduct, first reporting the issue to school officials before approaching the local police.

“The Hindi teacher has been accused by six students of sexual misconduct. Following the complaint, a case has been filed under the POCSO Act, and search teams are working to find the absconding teacher,” SP Negi explained.

Upon receiving the report, police quickly responded to the school, but the teacher had already escaped. His mobile phone is turned off, and efforts to locate him are ongoing. Statements from all six victims have been documented.

Concerns Grow Over Student Safety

This incident marks the second case of its kind in Sirmaur within a week, raising alarms about the safety of female students in educational institutions. Just days prior, 24 girls from a government school in Rajgarh lodged a similar complaint against a mathematics teacher, who has since been arrested and is now in judicial custody. The Education Department has suspended him while an investigation is underway.

The recurrence of such incidents has led to a loss of trust in the student-teacher relationship, prompting outrage among parents and community members. Many are advocating for more rigorous background checks and enhanced monitoring systems in schools.