Minister seeks action against 'wayward' school principal

Women and Child Development minister Umashree on Friday wrote to Social Welfare minister H Anjaneya, seeking stern action against, and immediate suspension of, the principal and security guard of government-run Kittur Rani Chennamma Residential School for girls at Yellammana Palya in Anekal taluk.

The police on Thursday arrested the principal and security guard for their “indecent” behaviour with the students.

The issue spiralled into a controversy after a video clip was aired in local media channel, showing the principal Mallikarjun Swamy and security guard Karthik consuming alcohol and dancing on the school premises.

Munniyellappa, complainant and the president of Students and Parents Welfare Association, said: “We were receiving many complaints from the hostel inmates against the principial and security guard. The students have said that the duo used to drink in the hostel kitchen and then start dancing on the premises of the hostel.”

The girls also complained that Karthik used to barge into the rooms and click photographs of the girls who were sleeping.

The principal, who used to accompany Karthik, used to ask the girls to lend their pillows and blankets, so that he can dream about them in his sleep, the complainant said. A senior police officer said, “On Sunday, when the parents cornered Karthik and checked his mobile phone, they found photographs of some students and also a video of the duo drinking and making merry. Munniyellappa lodged a complaint against the principal and security guard with police and they were arrested on Thursday.”

The parent of a girl, who did not want to be named, alleged that the principal had collected Rs 1.5 lakh from 21 newly admitted students.

He added: “There is a rule that not even a single rupee from the students should be collected. This angle has to be probed.”

Complaint 5 months ago

The parents alleged that five months ago, Shakuntala, warden of the hostel, had lodged a complaint against Mallikarjun, stating that he was harassing her and trying to physically abuse her but the police did not take any action against him and the warden had quit the job.

After this episode, Mallikarjun also took charge as the warden. “How can a man be a warden of a girls’ hostel,” questioned the parents.“The duo were produced to the court and are currently in judicial custody. Investigations are being carried out and we are also gathering more information from the students and parents,” said police.