JOIN USTeacher denies BEO's harassment
K Bhavitha, who was a computer teacher with Kasturba Girls’ Residential School in Bannur, has clarified that she has not lodged any complaint against Block Education Officer (BEO) G A Lokesh, bringing a twist to the case .
She has said that some “miscreants” had used her name to write against the BEO, and added that she became aware of the whole incident, only after she received letters on February 27, asking her to appear at the deputy commissioner’s office for investigation.
On February 15 (three days after education coordinator in Lokesh’s office committed suicide), one V Bhavitha wrote a letter to the Deputy Director of Public Instructions (DDPI) alleging that Lokesh has been sexually and mentally harassing her. The letter was even signed by local leaders of Bannur as well as its residents as witnesses. This letter was made available to the media on Monday.
On February 28, K Bhavitha had written a letter to the deputy commissioner, claiming that she had not lodged the complaint, and that it was the job of some trouble makers. A copy of the letter was marked to the DDPI as well. Following news reports, K Bhavitha also lodged a complaint with the Bannur police against the unknown people for having misused her name and address.
On Wednesday, she told reporters that she had neither been mentally nor sexually harassed by the officer, which is contradictory to the letter submitted to DDPI, which states that she was till date being harassed by the BEO, who had been making phone calls.
She also said that there is only one Bhavitha in the school, which is her. She added that the media glare had “tainted” her image and that she was now suffering from “mental torture”.
Bhavitha said that she worked as a computer teacher in the school from August to December 27, 2012. Lokesh who had visited the school on December 26 had told her that her services were not required for the moment as there were no computers in the school, and had instructed her to come back to duty once the equipments were provided, she added.
DDPI responds
Referring to the letter written by Bhavitha on February 28, DDPI B K Basavaraj said that he has not received the same. “But I learnt that the DIET officer who is probing the matter has received the letter. The case had been forwarded to the district level committee for investigations, but as Bhavitha has claimed that her name has been forged, we have no role to play in this matter,” he added.
Bhavitha also warned of action against the people who had signed as witnesses. She said that signatures of two witnesses namely Zilla panchayat member Renuka Nagaraj, and Dalit Sangharsha Samiti leader Shivakumar of Alagudu. The duo too alleged that their names had been forged.
After Roopa’s suicide, where she had held Lokesh responsible for her death, the BEO had been absconding and had not reported to duty. He has however recently been granted anticipatory bail, which he had sought. Lokesh is yet to report to duty. Both the school authorities and Lokesh were unavailable for comment on the entire episode.