Tamil Nadu Teacher Detained for Sexually Assaulting Ten Female Students
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Synopsis
A science teacher in Tamil Nadu was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing ten female students. The case has prompted investigations and raised significant concerns regarding student safety in government schools.
Key Takeaways
- A science teacher was arrested for sexually abusing ten students.
- The abuse was reported by a courageous victim.
- The accused was charged under the POCSO Act.
- Similar incidents have raised alarms in Krishnagiri District.
- Public outrage has led to calls for accountability from government officials.
Chennai, Feb 9 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Police have taken into custody a science instructor from a government institution located in Yercaud, Salem, on allegations of sexually abusing ten young female students.
The suspect, Ilayakannu (37), was apprehended by Yercaud law enforcement on Friday evening and is facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
Ilayakannu, who taught science to students in the 10th and 12th grades, is accused of victimizing ten girls.
The matter was uncovered when one of the students mustered the courage to alert the school's headmistress and insisted on action against the teacher.
The headmistress quickly notified officials from the Education Department and the District Child Protection Unit. Subsequently, a team visited the school to interview the students.
Initial inquiries validated the claims that the teacher had exploited ten students. Following a formal complaint from the District Child Protection Unit, the Kondalampatti All Women's Police Station registered a case under the POCSO Act and detained Ilayakannu.
Ongoing investigations are in progress.
In a related case in Krishnagiri District, three government school educators were arrested for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at the Panchayat Union Middle School in Bargur.
This incident, which transpired in early January, came to light on February 3 when school staff visited the girl's residence to inquire about her extended absence.
During this visit, the girl revealed the sexual assault, which allegedly took place inside a school bathroom. Following her disclosure, the headmistress and the Block Education Officer lodged a complaint, resulting in the arrest of the three accused on February 4.
Krishnagiri District Collector Dhinesh Kumar confirmed that the girl is receiving mental health support from specialists.
Superintendent of Police P. Thangadurai mentioned that the police and the Child Welfare Committee visited the girl at her home before transporting her to a One-Stop Centre at Krishnagiri Government Medical College Hospital for assistance.
The accused educators have denied the allegations and have been suspended during the ongoing investigation. A preliminary internal review by the School Education Department found no other students or staff with complaints against them.
The shocking nature of these incidents has provoked public outrage, with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami expressing his dismay.
In a post on social media, he criticized the DMK government for its apparent failure to protect students in government schools, urging Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to take full accountability for the events.
Palaniswami remarked, 'Girls are not safe in government schools and colleges.'
He also admonished CM Stalin for accusing him of inciting fear and questioned what the DMK ministers had to say about the situation.
BJP Tamil Nadu state president K. Annamalai condemned the episode, stating that sexual assault against women and girls has turned into a distressing reality in Tamil Nadu. He referenced a report detailing a sexual assault on an 18-year-old girl in a moving autorickshaw just days prior.
