Chikkaballapur school principal booked for allegedly assaulting Class 9 girl
Synopsis
A 15-year-old resident student at a Karnataka government school has alleged sexual assault by her own principal inside the school premises — a case that exposes the acute vulnerability of children in residential institutions where the accused holds unchecked authority over their daily lives.
Key Takeaways
A 15-year-old Class 9 student at Sri Morarji Desai Model Residential School , Chikkaballapur , has allegedly been sexually assaulted by principal Eshwara Reddy .
The alleged assault occurred at approximately 2.30 pm on 26 September inside the school's medicine room in Gorlummanahalli village, Shidlaghatta taluk .
The survivor's parents visited the school on 27 September and approached police; her statement was recorded on 28 September in the presence of child welfare officials.
An FIR has been registered by Dibburahalli police and an investigation is under way.
The school houses approximately 250 students and is a government-run residential institution.
A 15-year-old Class 9 student at the government-run Sri Morarji Desai Model Residential School in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, has allegedly been sexually assaulted by the school's principal, Eshwara Reddy, according to a complaint filed with police on Wednesday, 30 September. An FIR has been registered against Reddy by the Dibburahalli police in Shidlaghatta taluk, and an investigation is under way.
What the Complaint States
According to the survivor's statement, the alleged incident first occurred at approximately 2.30 pm on Saturday, 26 September, inside the school's medicine room, located near the 11th Mile in Gorlummanahalli village, Shidlaghatta taluk. The student said she had gone to the room to deliver medicine to an unwell Class 6 student when the principal allegedly called her in, behaved inappropriately, and assaulted her. She further alleged that he threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone.
In her complaint, the survivor stated: The principal of the school misbehaved with me on Saturday (September 26) and again this week. He kissed me, put his hand around my waist and touched my chest. He also gagged my mouth. These memories are imprinted on my mind. Against this background, no one should have to undergo the experience I had. No one should be subjected to the injustice I faced. Please help me get justice.
How the Incident Came to Light
The survivor reportedly confided in her classmates shortly after the alleged assault, and the information subsequently reached teachers and her parents. The school, which houses approximately 250 students, is a residential institution run under a central government model. Her parents visited the school on 27 September after learning of the alleged incident and approached the police the same day. On 28 September, the survivor's statement was formally recorded in Chikkaballapur in the presence of child welfare officials.
FIR and Investigation
Dibburahalli police have registered a case under relevant sections and initiated a formal investigation. The principal, Eshwara Reddy, has been named as the accused in the FIR. Further details regarding his arrest or custody status are yet to emerge, according to available information at the time of reporting.
Broader Context
This incident comes amid persistent concerns over the safety of children in residential government schools across India, where students — often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds — live on campus with limited access to immediate family support. Morarji Desai Model Residential Schools, operated under the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS), cater primarily to students from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward communities. Critics and child rights advocates have long argued that the residential nature of such institutions demands stronger institutional safeguards, regular inspections, and accessible grievance mechanisms for students. This case underscores the vulnerability of minors in such settings, particularly when the alleged perpetrator holds a position of authority.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to file a charge sheet once the probe is complete.
Point of View
Making the power imbalance between the accused and the victim especially stark. The fact that the survivor had to rely on classmates to relay information to adults — rather than a formal, accessible grievance channel — reveals a critical gap. India's POCSO framework is robust on paper; the real test is whether institutional accountability mechanisms exist inside residential schools to make that framework meaningful before harm occurs.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Chikkaballapur residential school?
A 15-year-old Class 9 student at the Sri Morarji Desai Model Residential School in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka, has allegedly been sexually assaulted by the school's principal, Eshwara Reddy, on 26 September. An FIR has been registered and police have launched an investigation.
Who is the accused in the Chikkaballapur school assault case?
The accused is Eshwara Reddy, the principal of the government-run Sri Morarji Desai Model Residential School in Gorlummanahalli village, Shidlaghatta taluk, Chikkaballapur district. He has been named in the FIR filed by Dibburahalli police.
How did the assault come to light?
The survivor reportedly confided in her classmates after the alleged incident, and the information reached her teachers and parents. Her parents visited the school on 27 September, and her formal statement was recorded on 28 September in the presence of child welfare officials.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Dibburahalli police in Shidlaghatta taluk have registered an FIR and initiated a formal investigation. Further details on the accused's custody status and next steps in the probe are yet to be confirmed by authorities.
What are Morarji Desai Model Residential Schools?
Morarji Desai Model Residential Schools are government-run boarding schools in Karnataka, operated under the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS). They primarily serve students from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward communities, providing free residential education.
