School watchman arrested for molesting student in Hyderabad

On the day Telangana state DGP Anurag Sharma launched a website - Jago Badlo Bolo (wake up, change , speak) - aimed at the prevention of child sex abuse, a case of the sexual harassment of a class IV girl surfaced.

Police said the incident came to light after the girl's parents organised a dharna in front of Sujatha school, demanding action against the watchman, identified as Kamal Bhan, a native of Uttar Pradesh.

The institution is a corporate school located near the state Assembly.

According to the police, Bhan (30) had been allegedly stalking the girl during school hours and making vulgar gestures at her.

Her parents said that the school management made no effort to confront the watchman and even continued his services.

Emboldened by the indifferent attitude of the management, Bhan tried to sexually abuse the girl after taking her to the school's basement on October 21.

On being informed about the incident, her parents filed a complaint with the police and raised slogans against the school management.

The Abids police have recorded the victim's statement. Bhan was arrested and remanded to two weeks' judicial custody. Cases under the POCSO Act and Sections 376 (2), 354, 354 (A) of the IPC were registered against him.

Meanwhile, child rights protection group Balala Hakkula Sangham, in a statement, demanded stern action against the watchman, and urged the police to take up a massive sensitisation programme on child abuse among the entire force.