Women’s group seeks cancellation of bail against accused in POCSO case involving minor school girls

Members of Voice of Women’s Kalaburagi and other concerned citizens on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and the Police Commissioner of Kalaburagi, seeking strict action and cancellation of bail in a POCSO case involving minor girls of a private school in the city.

In the memorandum, copies of which were also marked to the Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, the district in-charge Minister and the Women and Child Development Department, the signatories expressed deep anguish over the alleged sexual abuse of minor girl students at a private school in the city.

According to the memorandum, the husband of the school headmistress has been accused of committing inappropriate and sexual acts against minor girl students over several years and a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The group stated that although the 60-year-old accused was arrested, the subsequent grant of bail has caused fear and insecurity among parents and emotional trauma to the victims.

The memorandum raised concerns over the safety of minor girls in educational institutions, stating that schools must remain safe spaces and that the alleged acts constituted a grave breach of trust. It also questioned the grant of bail in a serious POCSO offence, stating that it could potentially lead to influencing witnesses or intimidating victims.

The petitioners also highlighted the absence of CCTV cameras within the school premises and alleged unauthorised residential use within the school campus, calling for an independent investigation. They also sought a thorough inquiry into the role of the school management to determine whether there had been negligence, suppression of facts or failure to implement child protection mechanisms.

The memorandum was signed by Shahnaz Akhter, Irfana Parveen, Shaikh Fatima, Ameena Patel, Taheniyat Fatima, Mubeena Begum, Zeba, Azeema and Shaheen. (eom)

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