Should a teacher accused of molesting a minor be dismissed?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Immediate dismissal of the accused teacher ordered.
- Zero tolerance policy towards crimes against children emphasized.
- Victim's family plays a crucial role in bringing the matter to light.
- Police instructed to take swift action in the case.
- State intervention expected to enforce accountability.
Jaipur, Sep 12 (NationPress) Rajasthan’s Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar has mandated the prompt dismissal of a contractual teacher implicated in the molestation of a minor schoolgirl in Dholpur.
He also instructed local law enforcement to apprehend the accused and ensure stringent legal repercussions. The incident was brought to light when the victim’s family approached the minister at his residence in Jaipur and shared their distressing experience.
In a decisive move, Dilawar ordered Sitaram Jat, the Director of Primary Education, to terminate the accused, Rajendra Sharma, from his position without delay. Additionally, he requested that the Deputy Inspector General of Police personally oversee the case and take immediate action to capture the perpetrator.
The complaint indicates that the victim, a Class 7 student at Upper Primary Kids Public School in Barauli, had attended evening tuition classes with Sharma.
On August 4, around 5 p.m., Sharma allegedly molested the girl and intimidated her into silence regarding the incident.
Frightened, the minor returned home in tears and disclosed the event to her mother. Following this, the family filed a complaint at the Sarmathura police station in Dholpur.
However, over a month passed without any action from the police. Alarmingly, the family claimed that the teacher later confessed his misconduct before the village panchayat, apologized at the victim’s residence, and a video of this admission is in existence.
Despite this, Sharma continued to work both as a contractual teacher in a government institution and as an operator of a private school. The minister expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the local authorities' inaction, asserting that such negligence would not be tolerated.
“No individual accused of such heinous acts deserves to remain in service. The government maintains a zero tolerance policy towards crimes against children and women,” Dilawar emphasized.
The intervention of the state government is anticipated to amplify pressure on law enforcement to act swiftly in this matter.
Furthermore, the minister reaffirmed that robust measures will be taken to ensure justice for the victim and to establish a precedent that such incidents will not be overlooked in Rajasthan.