Mysuru: Mysuru Rural Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a 59-year-old headmaster of Hanchya Government Primary School following a complaint by a minor girl alleging that he behaved indecently and sexually harassed her.

The case was registered on the night of September 27 against Head Master Ramu Shetty, after one of the schoolgirls approached the police along with her parents and submitted a complaint. The development came days after four minor girls had initially complained to their parents about alleged inappropriate behaviour by the headmaster.

Four girls initially complain to parents

According to the report, the issue came to light on September 24, when four minor schoolgirls reportedly told their parents that the headmaster had behaved indecently and sexually harassed them.

The parents subsequently approached the District Child Protection Unit on the morning of September 25 with their concerns.

Following the complaint, District Child Protection Officer P.S. Asha and Block Education Officer (BEO) Anantharaju visited the Mysuru Rural Police Station. Information was collected from the minor girls before they were referred to the District Child Welfare Committee for counselling.

The initial complaint led to tension around the school, with parents and local residents seeking action over the allegations.

Counselling produces a different account

During counselling, the four girls reportedly gave an account that differed from the allegations initially made by their parents.

According to Star of Mysore, the girls told counsellors that Ramu Shetty had not sexually harassed them. They reportedly said that teachers Gopinath, Usha Kiran and Nagarathna had instructed them to complain to their parents against the headmaster.

Based on the statements recorded during the counselling process, Mysuru Rural Police did not initially register a POCSO case against the headmaster. The counselling report was subsequently sent to the concerned child-protection authorities and police.

The earlier Star of Mysore report also quoted Child Protection Committee member M. Ravichandra as saying that the girls had named one of the teachers as the person who allegedly instigated the complaint. These were reported statements and remain allegations requiring verification.

Fresh complaint leads to POCSO case

Despite the earlier counselling account, one of the minor girls returned to the police station with her parents on September 27.

The girl reportedly submitted a fresh complaint alleging that Head Master Ramu Shetty had behaved indecently and sexually harassed her.

Based on this complaint, Mysuru Rural Police registered a case under the POCSO Act at around 9 pm on September 27.

The registration of a POCSO case means the allegations are being investigated under the law protecting children from sexual offences. It does not by itself establish that the alleged offence occurred or that the accused is guilty.

Police are expected to examine the fresh complaint along with the earlier statements and counselling records.

Headmaster alleges conspiracy

Following the allegations and the subsequent police case, Ramu Shetty was reportedly assaulted after a large group of people entered the school premises.

The headmaster sustained injuries and was admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

From the hospital, he reportedly submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner and Mysuru Rural Police alleging that teachers Gopinath, Usha Kiran and Nagarathna had conspired against him.

Shetty has sought legal action against the teachers over what he described as an alleged conspiracy to implicate him in the case. His allegation has not been independently established.

Headmaster had been suspended

The controversy had earlier resulted in administrative action against the headmaster.

According to Star of Mysore’s September 26 report, BEO Anantharaju had suspended Ramashetty following the initial allegations of sexual abuse involving the four minor students.

The same report said the authorities were considering the counselling findings and were expected to consult senior education officials before deciding on the next course of action concerning his suspension.

The headmaster was reportedly due to retire from government service within a few months.

Police and child protection authorities examining claims

The case involves competing accounts and therefore requires careful examination of the statements given at different stages.

The initial allegations involved four minor girls. During counselling, however, the girls reportedly denied that the headmaster had sexually abused them and instead alleged that certain teachers had encouraged them to complain against him.

The later complaint by one of the girls resulted in the POCSO case being registered against Shetty.

Police will have to examine the fresh complaint, earlier statements, counselling records and other available evidence before reaching conclusions about the allegations.

Any allegations against the teachers regarding an attempt to falsely implicate the headmaster will likewise have to be established through an appropriate investigation.

Case highlights importance of child-protection procedures

The development has brought attention to the procedures followed when allegations involving minors are reported at educational institutions.

The involvement of the District Child Protection Unit and Child Welfare Committee indicates that the girls were referred for counselling after the initial complaint.

At the same time, the fresh complaint has resulted in a formal police case under the POCSO Act.

The authorities will now have to balance the protection and privacy of the minor involved with the requirement to conduct a fair investigation into the allegations.

The identity of the minor girl has not been disclosed, in keeping with legal protections concerning children involved in POCSO cases.

Investigation continues

The registration of the case is the latest development in the dispute at Hanchya Government Primary School.

Police are likely to examine the statements of the minor girl, her parents, school staff and other witnesses. The earlier counselling report and the circumstances surrounding the fresh complaint will also be relevant to the investigation.

Meanwhile, the headmaster’s allegations against three teachers remain separate claims that will require verification.

The case could see further developments as police investigate the competing versions of events and authorities take decisions on the administrative proceedings involving the headmaster.

Conclusion

Mysuru Rural Police have registered a POCSO case against Hanchya Government Primary School Head Master Ramu Shetty following a fresh complaint by a minor girl alleging sexual harassment.

The case follows an earlier complaint involving four girls, who reportedly gave a different account during counselling and denied that the headmaster had harassed them. The headmaster has also alleged a conspiracy by three teachers and sought action against them. Police and child-protection authorities are now examining the competing claims.