49 Akola schoolgirls allege sexual harassment; two teachers booked

Two teachers of a government school in Akola were booked on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman, after as many as 49 girl students accused the duo of sexually harassing them, police said on Thursday.

Two teachers of a government school in Akola were booked on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman, after as many as 49 girl students accused the duo of sexually harassing them, police said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Rajan Gajbhiye and Shailesh Ramteke, were booked on Wdnesday night under section 354(a) of IPC and Section 7 and 8 of Protection of Child from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act on a complaint filed by the principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalay, Ramavatar Singh, they said.

On Tuesday, the girls had approached Maharashtra State Women's Commission member, Asha Mirge, with their complaint.

The statement by two of the victims says the girls were being sexually harassed for long by their chemistry and biology teachers who had used the threat of not granting marks in the practical exams.

The girls alleged that both the teachers used obscene language, made sexual advances and tried to make physical contact with them following which they complained to the principal, who called an emergency parents-teachers' meet on Tuesday after enquiring into the matter.

Enraged with the incident, parents held a protest outside the police station at Akola on Wednesday demanding strict action against the duo following which charges were registered against them.

Subsequently, district collector Arun Shinde, SDO Sanjay Khadse and Mirge visited the school and assured the students of early action.