BAREILLY: A 57-year-old teacher at a prominent primary English medium school in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur was booked and arrested by the police after his video of grabbing a minor girl and putting cake on her face even as the student struggled to free herself from his clutches went viral on social media on Saturday. The accused has been booked under sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offenses (Pocso) Act, police said.
The teacher was picked up by local police after a complaint by the girl's father and a case was registered at Civil Lines police station. He was also suspended by the school authority.
In the purported video clip, the teacher can also be heard saying, “Kaun bachayega? aaya koi? [Who will save you? Did anyone come?]."
Rampur additional superintendent of police (ASP), Sansar Singh, said, “Our investigation found that the incident occurred on Teachers' Day [September 5]. The occasion was being celebrated at a coaching centre run by the accused teacher in the Civil Lines area.”
The ASP added, “Taking cognizance of the purported video and complaint filed by girl’s father, an FIR has been registered against the accused, Alok Saxena, under IPC section 354 [assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty] and sections of the Pocso Act.”
Police said the accused, a resident of Krishna Vihar, was produced before the court following which he was arrested and sent to jail on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the school principal said, “The incident didn’t take place on the school premises. It occurred on the occasion of Teachers' Day at a coaching centre operated by the teacher. We have taken cognizance of the video and initiated necessary legal action against him.”
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
