A school head accused of bribing 16 girl pupils with sweets to let him sexually abuse them has been seized by police in northern India.
The suspect, named as Rajesh Kumar, was arrested in Unnao Uttar Pradesh State, after victims reported him to a children’s rights group website, reports local media.
Kumar had been on the run since school cook Ruby Devi made a formal complaint against him when the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights inspected the school.
The head’s 16 victims told inspectors that Kumar had been giving them sweets for taking part in “inappropriate acts”, reports local media.
NCPCR head Priyank Kanoongo said on 26th November: “After receiving a confidential complaint of sexual exploitation of school girls by a school teacher in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, a team led by @NCPCR_ member @PreetiBDalal was sent to Unnao yesterday for investigation.
“During the investigation, the complaint has been found to be true. One and a half dozen children have lodged a complaint against the accused teacher.
“Police have registered FIR [first information report].”
Kumar is now facing charges under India’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act and molestation charges, according to local media.
The head has also been suspended from his teaching post.
Police spokesperson Shashishekhar Singh said: “The headmaster, who was absconding since the FIR, has been arrested.”
The investigation continues.
