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Cops: Teacher said relationship was ‘beyond physical'

Cops: Teacher said relationship was ‘beyond physical'

Time of Indiaa day ago
Mumbai: Police probing the alleged sexual assault on a 16-year-old student by a female teacher at a top city school have sought a detailed report from the administration to ascertain if the teacher resigned voluntarily or was compelled to do so, and whether the institution had prior knowledge of the alleged abuse, report Ahmed Ali & Hemali Chhapia.
Sources said the alleged harassment began in Jan 2024, and the teacher quit in April the same year. School sources claimed they learned of the abuse only when she was arrested on Saturday. Police on Thursday conducted a psychiatric test on her to ascertain that she was mentally fit to commit the crime.
Police on Thursday put the teacher, who has been accused of sexually harassing a minor male student, through a psychiatric test so that she does not take a stand in future that she was mentally unstable.
They said the student was abused for over a year.
The teacher was on Thursday produced before the special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) court, which sent her to judicial custody until July 16.
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Police also have booked the teacher's female friend who allegedly contacted the boy on her behalf when he started distancing himself from her. This friend, it has emerged, is the same doctor who prescribed the anti-anxiety medicines which the teacher gave to the student.
Police have said that the teacher took the boy to five-star hotels, even got him drunk before the sexual assault and gave him anti-anxiety pills.
Cops have started recording the statements of school officials and are gathering documents pertaining to the teacher's appointment until her resignation and the boy's stint in school. Police said the teacher joined the school in 2021 during the pandemic, when schooling was online.
Before her stint at this institute, she had taught at another prominent school, said a senior teacher.
Sources said she resigned from the school whose student was abused in April 2024, and no formal complaint was filed by any student or parent against her. Sources added that the teacher's husband's statement will also be recorded as part of the probe.
Police said that the report of the psychiatric test conducted on the teacher was positive for her mental health.
When police questioned her about the sexual abuse, she told them that her relationship was "beyond physical" and she continued to have the same feelings for the student, officers said.
Meanwhile, the police said they might get a lookout circular issued if the accused doctor who prescribed the anti-anxiety pills fails to turn up for questioning. She has reportedly migrated to London. The school authorities said they are fully cooperating with police.
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Indian justice system fails children every day: Madan Lokur
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Indian justice system fails children every day: Madan Lokur

While a robust legal framework exists to protect children's rights, significant barriers continue to impede their access to justice, especially for children from marginalised communities, rural areas, or conflict-affected regions. India has passed several progressive legislation to protect child rights such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the Right to Education Act, 2009, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Complementing these laws are strategic litigation, government schemes, active participation of civil society organisations, and National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). The right of every child to seek and obtain justice is a cornerstone of a just and equitable society. Recognising this, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has dedicated its 27th General Comment to 'Children's Rights to Access to Justice and Effective Remedies'. Access to justice is not only about courtrooms and legal aid, it is also a means to combat inequalities, challenge discriminatory practices, restore denied entitlements, and ensure fulfilment of obligations by state and private actors. The Crime in India Report 2022 reveals that the crimes committed against children in India are more than three times those committed by children. A staggering 1,62,449 crimes were committed against children that year, while crimes committed by children was 30,555. This highlights the urgent need for more effective and accessible remedies for child victims of crime. Also read: What are sections 75 & 77 of Juvenile Justice Act, invoked for father of teen in Pune Porsche case Barriers to children's access to justice Children often face barriers long before they enter the justice system. 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Several legal aid schemes have been launched to support children, including: — the NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services to Children and their Protection) Scheme, 2015, which provides for mobile legal aid clinics, one-stop centres in rural areas, and legal services clinics within child welfare institutions; — the Delhi Scheme for Financial Sustenance, Education & Welfare of Children of Incarcerated Parents, 2014, which offers legal aid and welfare support to children of incarcerated parents; and — the NALSA Legal Services for Differently Abled Children Scheme, 2021, which ensures access to legal aid for children with disabilities. An important aspect of access to justice for children is the principle of restorative justice. 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It is an amalgamation of three schemes that existed prior to 2009–2010: (i) the programme for juvenile justice for children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law, (ii) the integrated programme for street children, and (iii) the scheme for assistance to homes for children (Shishu Greh). 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Vatsalya Mission is implemented through the State Child Protection Society, established under the JJ Act, 2015, and coordinated at the district level by the District Magistrate and District Child Protection Unit. Implementation is supervised at the state level by the State Child Welfare and Protection Committee. Mission Vatsalya serves as a model for coordinated, rights-based governance for child protection and access to justice. Toward a rights-based future Access to justice is not a privilege—it is a right. While India's legal frameworks and innovations mark important progress, much work remains to make justice inclusive, child-sensitive, and truly accessible. From strengthening legal aid and expanding restorative approaches, to using technology and empowering communities, a comprehensive, intersectional, and participatory approach is vital. Access to justice can be realized only through sustained political will, coordination across sectors, and the recognition of children not merely as passive recipients of care but as rights holders and active participants in justice. NGOs across the country are doing a fine job in all areas of child rights and must be encouraged, with financial support, if necessary. Justice Madan B Lokur is a former judge of the Supreme Court. Raagini Raghu is a lawyer practicing in Delhi and Bengaluru. She tweets @raagini202. Views are personal. (Edited by Prashant)

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