Could a Tamil Nadu School Teacher Have Abused Over 20 Students?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- M. Senthil Kumar arrested for sexual abuse of students.
- Over 20 allegations reported against him.
- Charges include violations of the POCSO Act.
- Calls for stricter regulations in schools.
- Authorities urge other victims to come forward.
Chennai, July 28 (NationPress) A government school educator in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu has been apprehended following allegations of sexual abuse involving more than 20 students.
The individual, M. Senthil Kumar (50), who resides in Iduhatty near Udhagamandalam, was employed as a science teacher at a government institution when these serious claims surfaced.
Senthil Kumar, boasting over 23 years of teaching experience across various government schools in Tamil Nadu, had recently been transferred to the Nilgiris area.
The alarming details came to light during an awareness initiative organized by the district police aimed at educating students about sexual harassment and abuse.
In these sessions, numerous students disclosed that their teacher had been sexually assaulting them since he began his tenure at the school.
In response to the students' allegations, the police filed a case against Senthil Kumar under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment, alongside pertinent sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Additionally, he was charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as some victims belong to marginalized communities.
Senthil Kumar was taken into custody earlier this month and placed in judicial custody.
Considering the grave nature of the offenses and the potential risk posed by the accused, Nilgiris Superintendent of Police N.S. Nisha recommended detention under the Goondas Act, a preventive measure for habitual offenders seen as threats to public order.
Following this recommendation, District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru approved the order, which was served to Senthil Kumar, who is currently incarcerated in Coimbatore Central Prison.
The police have expanded their investigation to include the schools where Senthil Kumar had previously worked.
Authorities are looking into whether similar incidents occurred during his earlier assignments.
Officials have urged any additional victims to come forward as part of the ongoing investigation.
This case has sent shockwaves throughout the Nilgiris district, igniting demands for enhanced background checks and monitoring mechanisms in educational institutions to safeguard students.