Bengaluru, Feb 28 (NationPress) A disturbing incident has surfaced from a residential school in Devanahalli, Karnataka, where the institution's owner and his spouse have been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accusations detail instances of ongoing sexual harassment against underage students and an alleged cover-up involving unlawful confinement.

As per the police report, the main suspect, known as Dhananjay, is the proprietor of the school and previously held the position of Taluq President in the Federation of Private Unaided Schools.

Dhananjay is accused of intruding into the girls' dormitory during late hours while under the influence of alcohol and harassing the students. The school currently accommodates more than 700 pupils.

The complaint reveals that when the distressed girls sought help from the owner’s wife, Shailaja, she failed to provide any assistance. Instead, she allegedly endorsed her husband’s “deplorable actions” and cautioned the children against revealing any details of the incidents, according to police reports.

The victims reported that they were coerced by the couple for eight consecutive days to keep the situation secret.

During this time, they were prohibited from leaving the school grounds and were not allowed to contact their parents. The accused wife allegedly provided the victims with papaya—often associated with attempts to terminate pregnancies—after the abuse, as per the victims’ testimonies.

The truth ultimately emerged when the girls succeeded in reaching out to their parents and sharing the horrific experiences they endured.

Upon receiving the distressing calls, the concerned parents rushed to the school and promptly lodged a formal complaint at the Devanahalli Police Station.

A case has been formally registered under the POCSO Act, and further legal actions are in progress against both Dhananjay and Shailaja concerning their involvement in the abuse and the attempted cover-up.

In a related incident, a self-proclaimed 'godman' named Mallikarjun Mutya from Yadgir has been accused of inappropriate behavior with a minor girl after a video surfaced online.

Consequently, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has taken suo motu action and filed an official complaint with the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Yadgir.

Mutya, aged between 25-26, has since fled his home and is currently evading arrest following the submission of a First Information Report (FIR). Authorities have issued a summons for him to participate in the investigation.

Additionally, the accused has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking to dismiss the charges against him.