Teacher, Clerk Arrested for Sexual Harassment of Students in Tiruvannamalai

Quick Summary:

• A Tamil teacher (V. Sathyaseelan) and a clerk (K. Balamurugan) from the Goverment Adi Dravidar Welfare High School, Tiruvannamalai were arrested for alleged sexual harassment of seven students over two years.
• The arrests followed complaints lodged with the District Child Protection Office (DCPO), during an awareness program held on July 24 about child helplines, rights, and protections under the POCSO Act.
• Students provided verbal and writen accounts of harassment during separate session discussions led by DCPO officials.
• Awareness sessions are regularly conducted by DCPO in educational institutions; officials reported that Tiruvannamalai district registers approximately 12-13 child abuse cases monthly.
• Following complaints, the all Women Police Station (AWPS) in Polur arrested both suspects, who have been sent to central Prison in Vellore pending investigation.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
This incident highlights persistent concerns regarding child safety mechanisms within educational institutions across India. While the regular awareness drives organized by agencies like DCPO are commendable for empowering students with knowledge of their rights and protections under laws such as POCSO, this case demonstrates gaps in proactive prevention measures at some schools despite such programs’ existence.

it further emphasizes the importance of stringent implementation of monitoring frameworks to ensure accountability for staff behaviour toward minors alongside creating safer school environments that prioritize transparency. While investigations into individual allegations will proceed as per law enforcement protocols, broader systemic reforms may be necesary to address recurring issues linked to institutional culture and oversight failures.

For more information: Indian Opinion