57-year-old teacher held for molesting teen student

A 57-year-old high school teacher was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl student.

The suspect was identified as Devaraj, a resident of Chikkabidirakallu near Peenya.
He has been a teacher at a government school in Kaval Byrasandra for the last 32 years. He was arrested based on a complaint filed by the school headmaster Prakash, said the police.

Devaraj was booked under IPC 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and POCSO Act, 2012, and was arrested, DCP (East) N Satish Kumar said.

The Women and Family Welfare Department had organised an awareness programme on October 30 at the school to educate children about their rights.

Student’s complaint
After the event, the victim, studying in class VIII, met the dignitaries and told that Devaraj had sexually assaulted her in March this year. 

The school managing committee seriously considered the victim’s complaint and
suspended Devaraj and began an internal probe, said the police.

Prakash obtained the girl’s statement and lodged a complaint on Thursday.  The police arrested Devaraj and subjected him to a medical examination. He will be  produced before the magistrate on Friday, said the police.