Principal attacked for misbehaviour with women staff

The situation turned tense at Oxford Institutions on 2nd cross, FTI Colony.

Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Based on a complaint, the police booked Ajit Prabhu (65), the secretary and a resident of Nandini Layout, under Section 354 (outraging woman’s modesty) of IPC, police said. Prabhu is also the principal of the high school and PU college. His wife Seethamma is the head mistress of the high school.

Background

Nearly 800 students study in the high school and the college, with 35 staff members (including teaching and non-teaching).

The victims –– Sabiha and Usha (name changed), aged around 25, joined as non-teaching staff 20 days ago. Sabiha is married to Rizwan and Usha to Dilip, police said.

Prabhu reportedly started misbehaving with Sabiha and Usha from Day One. He touched them and created situations to be near them. The principal is also said to have sent objectionable messages to their cellphones.

A police officer said: ”He promised them promotion if they co-operated with him. He told them he would bear their expenses including cellphone bills and others. Unable to bear the torture, the victims narrated the incident to their husbands, who decided to teach Prabhu a lesson.”

On Thursday, around 11.30 am, Dilip and Rizwan allegedly barged into Prabhu’s chamber, along with their wives. They then manhandled him. The furniture was damaged in the incident and Prabhu sustained minor injuries on his hand, sources said.

Maruti, an eye witness, told Deccan Herald: “I went to the college to seek admission for the relative of one of my friends. When I was discussing the matter with Prabhu, four persons entered the chamber and picked up a quarrel. I was shocked to hear stories of sexual harassment by Prabhu.”

Sources in the college said it was not the first time that Prabhu indulged in such acts. He misbehaved with most women employees. He used to take original academic documents of women employees and harass them by not returning them when they resigned. Many of them did not complain fearing their reputation being tarnished.

A police complaint had been lodged a few months ago in this regard. Prabhu also lodged a complaint against Rizwan, Sabiha, Dilip, Usha and Arun, claiming the five threatened to take his life, attacked and assaulted him, police said.