A shocking incident occurred in Virar where a teacher taking private tuition called a 13-year-old girl from his class to the office and behaved inappropriately.
After the minor girl told her parents about the teacher’s misconduct and harassment, they questioned him, beat him up and took him to the police.
Based on the complaint of the victim, a case has been registered at the Virar police station under Section 74 of the Indian Penal Act, Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO), 2012.
The accused teacher is identified as Pradeep Mohanlal Morya, who lives with his family at Om Swami Leela Apartment in Virar East, Kargil Nagar. The victim girl is studying in class 7 and she was attending Ishant coaching classes between 4 pm to 6 pm. These classes have one male teacher and 4 female teachers.
As per the complaint, the incident took place on August 21, when she was going home after the class. The accused called the girl in the office and asked, “Tum mere saath premsambandh karogi kya, aur muje kiss karoge kya” (Will you get involved physically with me and kiss me?). After this, the minor left in fear.
On the next day, August 22, the accused again called her and asked, “Tumko maine jo puchcha uska jawab nahi diya” (You didn’t answer my earlier question!). With this, he allegedly placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder and behaved obscenely with her.
After this incident, the girl refused to go to class. Days later when her mother intervened, she confessed everything.
On Wednesday, August 28 at 10 am, the angry parents went to the class, tried to attack the teacher, the men and women choked him, stripped the accused teacher half-naked and handed him over to the police.
The police said: “On the complaint of the victim girl, we registered a case and arrested the accused. The teacher has been injured after being beaten up by angry citizens. After treating him, we will produce him in Vasai court.”
It is pertinent to note that this incident has come to light amid the public outrage over Badlapur sexual harassment case. Therefore, questioning the safety of girls at educational institutes as well.