In a deeply troubling case from Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, a government school mathematics teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing 24 girl students. The incident has triggered widespread concern and led to the teacher’s immediate suspension, pending further investigation.
The accused, a trained graduate teacher (TGT), was taken into custody after students from Classes VIII to X reported repeated inappropriate behavior to the school principal. The matter was swiftly reported to the police, who arrested the teacher and produced him before a local court. He has been remanded to three days of police custody.
Acting quickly, the state’s education department suspended the teacher and directed an immediate inquiry. The Director of School Education has asked the Deputy Director (Elementary Education) in Sirmaur to personally visit the school, record statements from students, staff, and teachers, and submit a detailed report within a week.
The gravity of the situation has sparked protests. On Monday, the Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Janvadi Samiti staged a march, highlighting growing concerns over rising instances of sexual misconduct by educators in the region. The protestors submitted a memorandum to the state government through the Deputy Commissioner, calling for urgent and strict action.
“Rajgarh is not an isolated case. There have been at least three similar incidents in the district recently, including in Paonta Sahib,” said Santosh Kapoor, district president of the Samiti.
The current case came to light when the 24 students submitted a written complaint to the school principal on Friday, detailing how the teacher had touched them inappropriately. Following protocol, the school forwarded the complaint to its internal anti-sexual harassment committee. A parent-teacher meeting was convened the next day, where it became clear that many parents were unaware of what their children had been enduring.
Police have confirmed that a case has been registered under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger monitoring systems and sensitization in schools, especially in rural and semi-urban regions.
