Karnataka: School Principal Arrested For Making Students Clean Soak Pit In Kolar

The principal was arrested in connection with the soak pit incident, while another teacher was apprehended under the POCSO Act in Karnataka's Kolar district.

However, the incident came to light only on Sunday when pictures and videos circulated on social media. 

Source : PTI

A school principal in Karnataka's Kolar district was arrested for allegedly forcing students to clean a soak pit on school premises. Kolar district-incharge Minister B S Suresh inspected on Monday and gathered information from students and teachers based on the complaint. On Sunday, two FIRs were registered following a complaint from the Joint Director of the Social Welfare Department.

After the inspection on Monday, officials confirmed the arrest of two individuals associated with the school. The principal was arrested in connection with the soak pit incident, while another teacher was apprehended under the POCSO Act.

"The school principal was arrested since it was in her presence that some students were made to allegedly clean the soak pit. In another case, a male teacher was arrested in connection with a POCSO case booked against him," a senior police officer said, as per a report on PTI. 

After the arrests, three other employees of the school implicated in the FIR were found to be absconding. Officials stated that, based on a preliminary inquiry, students from Classes 8, 9, and 10 at Morarji Desai School in Yaluvahalli, Malur taluk, were allegedly compelled to clean a soak pit on December 1.

However, the incident came to light only on Sunday when pictures and videos circulated on social media. 

Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) Executive Director Naveen Kumar Raju informed PTI that a probe committee has been established for an in-depth inquiry. This committee will visit the site and submit a report within a week, guiding further action. In connection with the soak pit incident, three staff members, including the principal, warden, and an outsourced staff member who allegedly instructed the students, have been suspended.

Simultaneously, two male teachers have been suspended over allegations related to the POCSO Act and corporal punishment, respectively, according to officials.