Jind: 142 girl students have testified against the principal of a government girl's school here accusing him of sexual assault.
The accused, 56-year-old Kartar Singh, was arrested on November 4 and is currently in Jind jail on judicial remand.
The horrifying incident, first documented with 60 survivors, has now surged to an alarming figure, prompting significant apprehensions regarding the safety and welfare of students within educational institutions.
According to Jind deputy commissioner Mohammad Imran Raza, an inquiry committee headed by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has recorded the statements of 390 girls and filed complaints in 142 cases.
A majority of these female students have directly or indirectly confirmed that the accused sexually exploited them for six years.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Imran Raza affirmed that the committee found Singh prima facie guilty, leading to his arrest on November 4.
The charges include sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and molestation under the Indian Penal Code.
Following Singh's arrest, the police added Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (confinement), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, along with Section 10 of the POCSO Act (punishment for aggravated sexual assault) to the FIR.
The gravity of the accusations has prompted both criminal and disciplinary actions against Singh. The committee recommended disciplinary measures in addition to the ongoing criminal proceedings.
A comprehensive inquiry, overseen by Additional Deputy Commissioner Harish Vashisht, will follow the submission of a charge sheet.
The shocking details of the alleged crime came to light on August 31 when 15 students penned a five-page letter addressing the President, the Haryana governor, and the National Commission for Women, seeking action against the accused principal.
The Haryana secondary education department suspended Singh on October 27, but the extent of the trauma inflicted on the victims remains a matter of deep concern.
Chief Minister ML Khattar, expressing zero tolerance for such incidents, assured that the accused would not be spared. In response to this horrifying incident, a woman principal has been posted at the Jind school, and 16 other staff members have been transferred.
The government is also taking proactive measures, with the chairperson of the Haryana State Women's Commission organizing seminars in collaboration with the police to prevent such heinous acts.