A government school principal in Alwar has been suspended over a viral video allegedly showing him bathing with girl students from Classes 9 to 12, the education department said on Saturday. The video has triggered outrage among locals, prompting departmental and police investigations.
Alwar district education officer Manoj Sharma said serious allegations had been levelled against the principal by local residents. A three-member committee has been constituted to conduct an impartial inquiry into the allegations, he said.
The incident reportedly took place on August 15, after Independence Day celebrations at the school. According to preliminary information, the principal took around 200 students on a picnic to a dam near Bhadaz, about two kilometres from the school through a forest route. Villagers alleged that no woman teacher accompanied the group.
A video that subsequently surfaced on social media allegedly shows the principal bathing in the dam with the girl students. Villagers have further alleged that the principal lifted some of the girls in his arms on the pretext of teaching them swimming. The allegations are being investigated and have not been independently established.
The choice of the location has also raised safety concerns. Villagers said the dam embankment is only around five to six feet wide and that incidents involving children drowning have occurred there in the past.
{{/usCountry}}The choice of the location has also raised safety concerns. Villagers said the dam embankment is only around five to six feet wide and that incidents involving children drowning have occurred there in the past.
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Locals claimed that access to the area has been restricted for nearly four years because of the risk of accidents. The area has also reportedly witnessed tiger movement.
According to locals, around 200 students were taken into the water. They alleged that no life jackets or adequate safety arrangements were provided and that several students did not know how to swim.
After the video surfaced, locals reached the school on Saturday and confronted the principal. They demanded a fair investigation and strict action if the allegations are found to be true. Police were also informed, and the principal was questioned about the incident.
Police said they have taken the viral video seriously and launched an inquiry based on it. Investigators are examining the authenticity of the video, the identities of the people visible in it and the circumstances surrounding the incident.