CHENNAI: A 50-year-old government school teacher has been arrested for sexually harassing several girl students in Ooty.
The accused Senthil Kumar, from Hope Park area near Kotagiri, joined the government school near Ooty in June last year to teach the science subject for students studying Classes 6 to 8. He had worked in several schools over the last 23 years.
The sexual harassment came to light a few days ago, when cops visited the school to create awareness among the students on good touch and bad touch. After the end of the session, a 12-year-old girl studying in Class six mustered courage and spoke out on the sexual harassment meted out to her by Senthil Kumar.
When cops probed further, as many as 21 girl students came forth to claim that the teacher had touched them inappropriately and also kissed them. They, however, did not inform anyone so far and underwent the harassment in silence due to threats issued by the offender.
The shocked police informed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) authorities, and a case was registered at Ooty Rural Police Station under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). He was then arrested, produced before the Mahila Court in Ooty, and remanded in judicial custody.
A joint team of police and CWC officials is inquiring further to find out if he had abused girls during his stint in schools where he was employed before.
Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer K Nandakumar placed Senthil Kumar under suspension and also ordered a departmental inquiry for further action.