Why Was a 40-Year-Old Female Teacher Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault in Mumbai?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 40-year-old female teacher arrested for alleged sexual assault.
- Inappropriate relationship developed during school activities.
- Case highlights the importance of student safety in educational institutions.
- Legal action taken under POCSO and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Family intervention led to police involvement after multiple incidents.
Mumbai, July 2 (NationPress) A 40-year-old female English instructor from a prestigious institution in Mumbai has been taken into custody under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for reportedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old male student on multiple occasions over a span of several months, as stated by officials.
According to the Mumbai Police, the teacher, who is married and a parent, developed a close bond with the student while overseeing a dance group for the school's annual event in December 2023. During this time, the student is said to have formed an emotional connection with her.
In January 2024, the teacher allegedly suggested starting a sexual relationship. When the boy resisted and began to distance himself, she reportedly enlisted a female friend—unaffiliated with the school—to coax him.
This friend, who has also faced charges, allegedly told the boy that relationships between older women and younger men were 'common' nowadays, asserting that he and the teacher were 'destined to be together.'
As a result, the student consented to meet the teacher. Allegedly, she took him to a remote location, forcibly stripped him of his clothing, and sexually assaulted him. Following this incident, as the boy began to suffer from anxiety, she reportedly administered anti-anxiety medication. The vehicle used to transport the boy has since been confiscated by the police.
Investigators have noted that the accused made the student consume alcohol before each assault and later brought him to several luxury hotels in south Mumbai and near the airport for further sexual encounters.
The abuse persisted for several months. The student's family began to notice changes in his behavior and eventually confronted him, leading him to disclose the abuse. Initially hoping the matter would resolve after he finished school, the family chose not to report it. He graduated earlier this year.
However, the situation escalated when the teacher allegedly attempted to contact the boy again through a member of his household staff, prompting the family to lodge a complaint with the police.
The Dadar police have registered a case under Sections 123, 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the POCSO Act.
Both the teacher and her accomplice have been arrested and presented in court. The teacher is currently in police custody.