Karnataka: Headmaster Who Was Thrashed By Schoolgirls For Harassing Minor, Arrested

The preliminary investigation revealed that the headmaster was a habitual offender.

A school headmaster was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with students (File Photo)

Chennai: The students of a government school thrashed their headmaster for allegedly misbehaving with a minor at a hostel in Mandya district of Karnataka. The issue came to light after the video of the incident was circulated online.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the police arrested the headmaster Chinmayanand under various sections including sexual harassment and stalking of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the headmaster told the girl to meet him in his room and reportedly tried to misbehave with her. The girl immediately ran out of the room and informed her hostel mates. Around 10 hostel inmates soon started to surround Chinmayanand and thrashed him with sticks. 

A video of the attack was also circulated on social media. The video showed one of the girls questioning the headmaster on why he was touching the minor. She also asked, "Did we do anything wrong? Are you even a headmaster?”. Another girl also reportedly cried and said that the headmaster harassed her too, as per the report. 

Talking to The Indian Express, a police officer said that the accused has been a habitual offender. The girls told them that the headmaster made them watch obscene videos and touched them inappropriately. He also used unparliamentary language with them. 

The cops said that they have suo moto booked a case and are investigating to find out the details of the case. 

On Thursday, Deputy director of public instruction S T Javare Gowda said that the police have arrested the accused. Chinmayanand had been working in the school for the past six years.

Gowda also said he has written to higher officials to suspend him.