An FIR has been registered against a teacher from a government girls’ higher secondary school in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly strip-searching female students to find a mobile phone that rang during class. The complaint, lodged by the parents of the affected students, claims that the teacher took five girls to the washroom and forced them to remove their clothes on August 2.
According to Shiv Kumar Raghuvanshi, the in-charge of Malharganj police station, the initial investigation has confirmed that the teacher “mentally tortured” the girls by conducting the invasive search. The FIR includes charges under sections 76 (assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe) and 79 (acts intended to insult modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and section 75 (cruelty to children) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Statements from the victims, their parents, and teachers have been recorded. While the investigation revealed no “sexual intention” behind the act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was not applied.
On August 9, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued a notice to the state government in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Chinmoy Mishra. The court has directed the state government to provide a report within a week on the actions taken following the complaint. The PIL calls for ensuring compliance with the POCSO Act and for prompt action in such cases.
