Girl sexually harassed by teacher ends life in TN's Kallakurichi district

KALLAKURICHI: A Class 10 student of a government school near Kachirayapalayam in Kallakurichi district died at the Salem Government Medical College Hospital on Thursday night, three days after she allegedly attempted suicide following sexual harassment by a teacher. Kallakurichi police have arrested the teacher under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

According to police, the student was allegedly sexually harassed by the teacher at the school. He had allegedly called the girl to the teachers’ room during school hours, sexually harassed her and warned her not to disclose the incident to anyone.

Police said the student, who was under mental distress following the incident, attempted to kill herself at her house on Monday (September 7). She was initially admitted to a private hospital in Chinnasalem and later shifted to the Kallakurichi Government Medical College Hospital. She was subsequently referred to Salem Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment, where she was undergoing intensive care.

Acting on the complaint lodged by the girl’s family, Kallakurichi police arrested the teacher on Wednesday evening and produced him before a court on Thursday night after interrogation. He has been remanded to judicial custody.

Meanwhile, the parents of the deceased girl have demanded the arrest of the school headmaster for alleged negligence in taking action on her previous complaints against the accused teacher. Further investigation is under way.

(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)