Schoolteacher held for sexually abusing minor boy granted bail in Mumbai
Her bail plea was allowed by special POCSO court judge Sabina Malik. A detailed order was not available yet.
The teacher, arrested last month, was booked under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice Act.
In the bail application filed through advocates Neeraj Yadav and Deepa Punjani, the woman denied the charges brought against her and claimed the case was entirely fabricated at the behest of the boy's mother as she opposed their relationship.
Citing several conversations with the boy, the woman's plea stated that his parents knew of his relationship with the accused, who is married, and were against it.
His conduct towards the teacher and "deep feelings" for her have been deliberately suppressed in the FIR, according to the application. Police have claimed the accused got attracted to her 16-year-old student during various meetings held in connection with the school's annual function in December 2023.
She allegedly made her first sexual advance in January 2024. The teacher used to take the minor to luxury hotels where she allegedly abused him, as per the FIR. Police have stated that the teacher would also often allegedly get the boy drunk before abusing him.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tripura musician held with 173kg cannabis
Agartala: Tripura Police arrested a local musician after recovering over 173kg of dried cannabis valued at over Rs 10 lakh from his residence in the Konaban area under Madhupur police station limits of Sepahijala district. The accused, identified as Paritosh Sarkar, was apprehended following a tip-off received by officer-in-charge Debajit Chatterjee on Sunday. Acting on the intelligence, a joint team comprising personnel from the Madhupur Police Station, Tripura State Rifles (TSR), and the Intelligence Department launched a swift raid on Sarkar's premises. According to police, Sarkar attempted to flee upon spotting the approaching team but was quickly caught. During the search operation, police recovered large quantities of ganja concealed under a sand heap in the courtyard, inside his house, and from a nearby hill located behind the property. Speaking to reporters, Chatterjee confirmed that a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. "Preliminary investigation reveals that several local youths were in contact with the accused. We are expanding the probe to identify others involved in this network," he said. Police sources indicated that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
NDTV
29 minutes ago
- NDTV
4 Under Trial In Rape, POCSO Act Cases Escape From Chhattisgarh Jail
Korba: Four prisoners facing trial in rape and POCSO Act cases escaped from a district jail in Chhattisgarh's Korba district on Saturday, a police official said. He identified the four as Dashrath Sidar (19), Chandrashekhar Rathia (20), Raja Kanwar (22) and Sarna Sinku (26). "Between 3pm and 4pm, they fled after climbing a cowshed wall inside the prison using a rope. They were undertrials in cases filed for rape and provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Rathia was from Raigarh, while the other three are from Korba," he said. Efforts are on to nab them, while a probe has begun on how they managed to escape, the official added.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Need to ensure genuine human interactions aren't lost while upholding the POSH Act
Advt Advt By , ETHRWorld Contributor Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. All about ETHRWorld industry right on your smartphone! Download the ETHRWorld App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles. In a society evolving rapidly in terms of equality, awareness, and sensitivity, legal frameworks likehave been powerful instruments for promoting safety and dignity. The Act, driven by the Indian government's commitment to safeguarding individuals—particularly women—against harassment at workplaces and educational institutions, mandates preventive and redressal measures. It enforces strict organizational compliance, creation of Internal Committees, and regular training is undoubtedly a landmark legislation. It offers a voice to the voiceless and empowers individuals to challenge inappropriate behaviours without fear of retaliation. Government bodies, NGOs, and HR departments have worked extensively to disseminate knowledge, educate stakeholders, and instil a culture of respect. Particularly in academic institutions, POSH training has become compulsory, and awareness among students is now at an all-time even the most progressive reforms bring with them. A growing narrative today, although less discussed, revolves around howare affecting the veryPOSH aims to its core, POSH is not just a compliance mandate but a. It seeks to eliminate environments of fear, silence, and inequality. It emphasizesover mere Act has made commendable changes. For instance, in 2016, a reputed law firm in Mumbai dealt with a high-profile case where a junior associate brought forward a harassment complaint. The organization's swift action and transparent inquiry sent a strong message that respect and dignity are non-negotiable. Stories like these are reminders of how transformative POSH can be when implemented an emerging concern is theof over-cautious implementation. While awareness has increased, so has—especially among men. In workplaces and classrooms alike, many are becoming, fearing misinterpretation or false allegations.A significant number of employees and students now avoid casual interactions. Friendly conversations, mentorship initiatives, and even basic gestures of care are sometimes withheld. The outcome? A decline in. People are building emotional walls under the pretext of "being safe."Compare this with previous decades, when students and colleagues often built bonds like extended families—sharing food, playing, celebrating together. Emotional ventilation was abundant and friendships were deep-rooted. Today, a fear of overstepping boundaries has replaced this ease, especially between genders. This has led to, and, in some cases, increased workplace and academic sensitive issue is the. Although rare, false complaints do occur. These not only damage the reputation and mental health of the accused but also undermine genuine 2021, theaddressed this concern, emphasizing the need for fairness and adherence to principles of natural justice in POSH inquiries. The court warned against allowing the process to become punitive without due fear of false allegations is not unfounded. A 2022 survey by a Delhi-based NGO found that nearlywere hesitant to interact freely with female colleagues, not out of guilt, but due to fear of misinterpretation. Some even admitted tofor women developments, if left unaddressed, could create toxic silos of suspicion and disconnection—exactly what POSH was never intended to trust, and healthy communication are the cornerstones of any vibrant institution. Emotional wellbeing thrives in spaces where people feel safe—not just physically, but emotionally if reduced to a checklist, can unintentionally. Students may avoid forming friendships. Colleagues may hesitate to comfort each other in stressful times. The absence ofin these environments can lead to emotional burnout, disengagement, and even increased attrition.A 2019 study published in the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicinehighlighted that while 78% of employees appreciated the safety framework POSH provided, nearlyin day-to-day workplace interactions post-POSH is not merely about knowing what constitutes harassment. It must also includeThe current model of POSH education often focuses on "what not to do." But it's equally important to educate individuals on, how to offer help sensitively, and how to engage in meaningful dialogue without analysis of POSH awareness must therefore consider two lenses:: Is the workplace or institution safe and informed?: Are people able to trust, express, and connect freely?Both are essential for a truly inclusive, safe, and emotionally healthy a society, our stand should be one of. We mustwhile ensuring thatInstead of fearing the Act, individuals must be equipped to understand. Encouraging open dialogue, normalizing questions, and reducing the stigma around the Act will make it more approachable and less intimidating.1.: Move beyond the "don'ts" and include training on2.: Offerand peer support systems to help individuals navigate interpersonal challenges and anxiety related to POSH.3.: Government and NGOs can launch, mentorship stories, and examples of respectful collaboration.4.: Encouragein colleges and companies where employees and students can openly discuss grey areas of interaction and seek clarity.5.: Create transparent, unbiased processes with. This will reduce fear and restore faith in the POSH Act is a landmark reform that India should be proud of. It has empowered thousands to raise their voices and transformed institutional culture. But as we move forward, we must ensure it doesn't becomeLet POSH be understood not just as a compliance protocol, but as a. When implemented with balance and empathy, POSH can help us create institutions that are not only safe, but alsoIn safeguarding rights, let's not forget to safeguard. Because emotional wellbeing is not just the absence of threat, but the· Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2019). 'Impact of POSH Awareness on Workplace Dynamics.'· Supreme Court of India (2021). Judgment on natural justice in POSH proceedings.· Centre for Social Research (Delhi), 'POSH and Emotional Wellbeing Report' (2022).· Ministry of Women and Child Development, POSH Guidelines, Government of India (2023).
