A teacher and a headmistress of a government school in Pattukkottai taluk of Thanjavur district were arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after allegations of sexual harassment of girl students surfaced.
According to the police, Bhaskar, 53, a teacher at a government school near Pattukkottai, allegedly sexually harassed a Class V student while she was reading aloud in class a few days ago. The girl broke down and informed her parents about the crime.
Parents of the girl reported the matter to Vijaya, 55, the headmistress of the school, who is the wife of Madiyazhagan of Kariyampalayam. However, she allegedly ignored the complaint.
Angered by the inaction, the girl’s parents and relatives staged a protest on the school premises, demanding immediate action against the teacher. A formal complaint was later lodged at the Pattukkottai All Women Police Station.
During the subsequent police inquiry, it emerged that Bhaskar had allegedly sexually harassed at least six other students from the same class. Parents of other students had reportedly raised concerns with the headmistress earlier, but action was not taken.
Following the investigation, Bhaskar and Vijaya were arrested and booked under relevant sections of the POCSO Act. Further investigation is under way.
Published – October 26, 2025 06:22 pm IST
