Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, June 24, 2025:
24 female students were allegedly sexually harassed by a government school teacher in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, who was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). After students complained, the accused, a math teacher and trained graduate teacher (TGT), was placed under police custody for three days.
When a number of girls from Classes VIII through X went to the principal to report that the teacher had touched them inappropriately during a school function, the incident was revealed. He "touched them inappropriately," according to a written complaint from the students. The matter was referred to the school's Internal Committee on Sexual Harassment, which then called the police.
The problem was described as "serious" by Yogesh Rolta, Additional Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, who also said that investigations were in progress, with spot visits finished and statements taken. The teacher was immediately suspended in response, and the Director of School Education called the situation "serious and sensitive."
He directed Sirmaur, the Deputy Director of Elementary Education, to carry out an urgent preliminary investigation and provide a thorough report in a week. It has been reported that until the school complaint surfaced, the parents of the impacted students were not aware of the alleged harassment. Some parents demonstrated outside the school to voice their outrage and demand that the teacher and the school administration face immediate legal action.
Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Janvadi Samiti were among the district activists who participated in the demonstrations. "Rajgarh is not the lone incident," said Santosh Kapoor, a group organizer, warning that this was not an isolated incident.
In recent months, the district has already seen three such incidents, one of which occurred in Paonta Sahib. The teacher is the subject of a case filed under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including the POCSO Act and those pertaining to sexual assault. While the investigation is ongoing, he has been placed under three days of police custody remand.
Similar charges were brought against a Kullu teacher in Himachal Pradesh last year, and this incident is reminiscent of those cases. The High Court later declared that teachers' inappropriate touching and sexually suggestive remarks were violations of Section 7 of the POCSO.
The government has called on educational establishments to improve internal child safety procedures and educate employees about appropriate behavior. The Director of School Education emphasized that employees need to be trained to identify and stop child abuse and make sure that no victim is kept silent. Authorities have promised open action to protect children and rebuild confidence in the public education system as the investigation continues.
