Thoothukudi: Five Class 8 students arrested under Pocso Act for sexually harassing classmate

THOOTHUKUDI: Five Class 8 students of a government school were arrested under the Pocso Act for allegedly sexually harassing a classmate, near Thoothukudi on Wednesday.

According to the police, eight students had repeatedly harassed the boy since he was studying in Class 7. The accused boys also belong to the same class. They allegedly threatened him with further harassment if he revealed the matter to anyone, officials said.

The matter came to the attention of a teacher after the boy fell ill frequently. The teacher informed his parents, who lodged a complaint. Based on that, the Vilathikulam All Women Police registered a case and arrested five students, who were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Thoothukudi and sent to the Observation Home for Children in Tirunelveli. The police are questioning the remaining three students.

District Chief Educational Officer Sangeetha Chinnarani said the teacher had initially counselled the students and their parents in the case. Steps were also being taken to provide counselling to all students at the school through the Child Welfare Committee. After completion of the police investigation, departmental action would be taken based on the findings, the CEO said.