Latest news with #ProtectionofChildrenfromSexualOffences)Act
Hans India
15 hours ago
- Hans India
Govt school teacher suspended for sexually harassing girls
Kalaburagi: An assistant English teacher at a government high school in Kalaburagi taluk has been suspended following allegations of sexually harassing girl students inside the school premises. According to reports, the accused teacher allegedly used to call girl students to the computer room and behave inappropriately with them. Despite repeated warnings from the students, the teacher reportedly continued his misbehaviour, forcing parents to lodge a formal complaint with education department officials. Taking serious note of the allegations, the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) of Kalaburagi district, Suryakant Madane, confirmed the suspension and said an inquiry is underway. Speaking to the media, DDPI Madane stated, 'Around 3 pm on Thursday, we received credible information that an assistant English teacher in a government high school in South Kalaburagi taluk had engaged in inappropriate behaviour and used objectionable language with girl students. Immediately, we formed a three-member committee comprising a senior education officer, the headmaster of a high school, and a lady subject inspector to probe the allegations and submit a report.' He added, 'On the same day, we issued a notice to the accused teacher seeking an explanation within 24 hours regarding the complaint. Simultaneously, we have suspended him from service with immediate effect.'The DDPI further assured that a detailed investigation was in progress and strict action would be taken against the guilty. He also said the department would initiate action under the stringent POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, since the allegations involved minor girl students. Parents and locals have demanded that the authorities ensure the safety and dignity of girl students in government schools and take exemplary action to prevent such incidents in the future.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Students in Puducherry create interactive doll to spread Pocso awareness
PUDUCHERRY: In a remarkable example of student entrepreneurship, the students of Ilango Adigal Government Higher Secondary School, Muthirapalayam on Tuesday have taken the lead in raising awareness about the Pocso (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act through innovation, creativity, and peer learning. The highlight of the programme is the use of a student-developed interactive talking doll named 'Zara'. Equipped with touch sensors, Zara helps children distinguish between safe and unsafe touch in a simple, relatable way. The initiative, designed and led entirely by students, focused on sensitising 175 girl students to the Pocso Act. The doll, designed to communicate in Tamil, English, and Hindi, was used in live demonstrations that captured the attention of the audience and effectively conveyed messages about personal safety. A series of engaging student-led activities marked the day. These included the performance of a Pocso awareness song titled 'My Body, My Right,' composed by the students and tuned by the school's Head of Institution, K Kokilambal, who also performed it alongside girl students from Classes IX to XII. Another powerful segment of the event was a dramatic role play based on the 'NO-GO-TELL' strategy, which illustrated practical steps children can take to protect themselves and seek help, said S Sriram, Physics Teacher who coordinated the project and guided the students in developing the content and integrating technology into their outreach. This student-led effort underscores the role of youth as powerful change-makers, demonstrating how innovation, creativity, and community engagement can come together to champion the rights and safety of children.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
20 years imprisonment in POCSO case
The special court for POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act awarded 20 years imprisonment to a youth on Thursday for sexually assaulting a minor girl. According to prosecution, Velayutham, 31, of Gopalasamudram under Munneerpallam police station limits sexually assaulted a minor girl in 2018 and issued death threat to her when she informed her parents about it. Based on the complaint from the victim, the Munneerpallam police arrested Velayutham, a history-sheeter, under the POCSO Act. Special Court for POCSO Cases judge Suresh Kumar awarded 20 years imprisonment and slapped a fine of ₹20,000 on Thursday. Velayutham has now been lodged in Salem Central Prison after being arrested in connection with a murder case.
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Entire complexion of Delhi HC is changing': Justice Dharmesh Sharma, who held Kuldeep Sengar guilty in Unnao rape case, retires
Terming it a positive change, Justice Dharmesh Sharma of the Delhi High Court said Friday that 'the entire complexion of the HC is changing' with 'so many outsiders coming'. He was speaking at a farewell organised for him by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) ahead of his official retirement on June 8, when the court will be on vacation. The remarks come at a time when the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on May 26 recommended the transfer of three judges to the Delhi High Court, including Justice Nitin Sambre of the Bombay High Court, Justice Vivek Chaudhary from the Allahabad High Court, and Justice V Kameswar Rao, who is being repatriated to his parent high court of Delhi from Karnataka High Court. Incumbent Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya too took charge in January after being transferred from the Bombay High Court. As a judge of the trial court and the special court to hear cases under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, Justice Sharma had in 2019 held former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar guilty of rape of a minor girl in Unnao in 2017. Stating that he will join the Bar 'soon', Justice Sharma said, 'A lot many things are happening, if I'm allowed to say. The entire complexion of the (Delhi) HC is also changing and…sometimes now this high court is looking like an IPL franchise because so many outsider players are coming and (will) come in future. I think it's a good thing…' 'I don't know how to end my note because it is a little emotional for me… I'm thankful… The justice delivery system needs some overhauling, some changes, yes. You may please bring about some objectivity to whatever is happening around… We can do more about it,' he added. Speaking at the full court farewell reference of Justice Sharma, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said on Friday, 'He was deeply involved in the institutionalising of legal aid framework, infrastructure development and streaming of various legal awareness programmes across the Capital…He is known to be a judge of great practical wisdom and he always remained oriented to grant relief to litigants in the court.' Justice Sharma had, in September 2024, dismissed a petition by the Shahi Idgah (Waqf) managing committee opposing the installation of a Rani of Jhansi statue inside the Shahi Idgah Park in Sadar Bazar and sought that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) be restrained from such encroachments. Earning his law degree in 1987, he practised at trial courts in Delhi, mainly in civil matters. He was also appointed as the additional standing counsel of the Centre during this time before joining the Delhi Judicial Services in 1992. After serving a little over a decade, he was elevated to the Delhi Higher Judicial Services in August 2003. From 2017-19, he served as a principal judge of the family court and was later appointed as principal district judge of New Delhi till he was elevated to the Delhi High Court in May 2023. He served as secretary of the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee during 2007-08 and also as member secretary of Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) during 2014-17.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- The Hindu
Repeat sexual predator sentenced 25 years of RI within 55 days of complaint in Odisha
Backed by swift investigation by Jharsuguda Police in Odisha, a repeat sexual predator was sentenced 25 years of rigorous imprisonment within 55 days of registering the complaint. Two minor victims were given monetary compensation to the tune of ₹8 lakh each. Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, Puja Sarangi, convicted Ajit Nag, accused of sexually assaulting a 11-year-old boy on several occasions, and handed rigorous imprisonment. On March 23, a woman filed a complaint at Brajarajnagar police station in Jharsuguda district that her 11-year-old son was forcibly taken to a secluded place by Nag where he forced him into unnatural sex. 'When her son protested, Nag assaulted him and threatened to strangle him to death. Her son returned home and narrated his ordeal to her. The man had sexually assaulted her son several times in the past. According to her son's statement, Nag had also sexually assaulted his nephew and other boys from their locality,' said Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police. Nag had previously been in jail custody in connection with a rape case. 'We utilised scientific investigation techniques, such as DNA analysis, to ensure conviction in this sensational case. We also successfully secured a conviction in the rape case of two minor boys within 55 days of registering the FIR,' said Mr. Parshottamdas. 'This case is a powerful example of what proactive policing, scientific evidence gathering, and time-bound prosecution can achieve. It sends a strong and clear message,' he said, adding that the conviction of a repeat sexual predator in record time not only reinforces public trust in the justice system but also sets a model for child protection and fast-track justice delivery.
