13-year-old student sexually assaulted by three teachers in Tamil Nadu school

Chennai: In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old girl student was allegedly sexually assaulted by three teachers inside the washroom at a government middle school in Krishnagiri district.

The three teachers, aged between 37 and 47, have been suspended by the District Education Officer (DEO) and arrested under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The incident came to light on Tuesday evening after the headmaster of the school near Pochampalli in Bargur taluk went to the student’s house to enquire about the reason for her not attending school since January 5. The sexual assault took place on January 2 inside a washroom in the school premises where the teachers allegedly took turns to violate the minor girl.

The parents of the girl told the headmaster that their child wasn’t attending school due to acute pain in her abdomen. However, they opened up when the headmaster prodded them to speak the truth as their version for the child’s absence from the school failed to convince her.

Sources told DH that the girl told the headmaster that three teachers – Chinnasamy, Arumugam, and Prakash – sexually assaulted her.

“The girl’s parents narrated their child’s harrowing experience following which the headmaster informed the DEO and called the Child Helpline. Accordingly, a case was registered against the three teachers at the Bargur All Women’s Police Station (AWPS),” a police officer said, adding that all three accused have been arrested.

The District Child Protection Unit and police have launched an investigation into the case, while the girl is undergoing medical checkup.

The incident comes six months after the 'organiser' of a “fake NCC camp” sexually abused 13 minor girls in the district. However, the main accused, Sivaramakrishnan, died by suicide.