Alleged Misconduct Against Minor Girls At Indore School: HC Flags 'Serious Allegations', Calls For Action Taken Report From State
In a recent case involving allegations of serious misconduct against minor girls at a government school in Indore, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a notice to the state government, demanding an urgent report on the actions taken following the lodging of a complaint and heard on the question of admission and interim relief.
The case centres around an incident where a teacher allegedly forced minor girls to remove their clothes in search of a mobile phone, prompting public outrage and legal scrutiny.
The incident, which took place at a government girls' higher secondary school in Indore, came to light after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by social activist Chinmay Mishra.
The PIL, presented before the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court comprising Justice Sushruta Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Duppal Venkataramana, alleges that despite the gravity of the situation, the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act have not been properly implemented by the authorities.
During the hearing, the petitioner's lawyer, Abhinav Dhanodkar, highlighted the failure of the authorities to implement the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, despite the grave nature of the accusations. According to the petition, despite a complaint being filed on August 2 by the families of the victimized students, the police had not taken appropriate actions under the POCSO Act.
The incident allegedly occurred at a government girls' higher secondary school in Indore, where a teacher reportedly took five students to the toilet under the pretext of searching for a mobile phone that had rung during class. The complaint further alleges that the teacher not only forced the girls to remove their clothes but also physically assaulted them during the search.
The bench flagged the allegations as 'serious' and directed the state to file a detailed report within a week, outlining the actions taken following the lodging of the complaint. The Court has set August 17, 2024, as the date for the next hearing.
Case title: (CHINMAY MISHRA Vs THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS )
Case No: WP No. 23250 of 2024