Moga School Principal Who ‘Molested’ Multiple Girls Held, Suspended; 12 Girls File Complaint
Moga School Principal sexual harassment case: NHRC issues notices to Punjab Chief Secretary and Moga SSP after reports that a govt school Moga principal sexually harassed girl students; accused arrested and suspended.
North Desk Correspondent
Chandigarh, July 25
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that the Principal of a government school in Moga district, Punjab, sexually harassed multiple girl students, and has issued notices to the state Chief Secretary and the Moga Senior Superintendent of Police seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
In an order issued on 24 July, the Commission said the news report, if true, raises serious issues of human rights violation. According to the report, carried on 23 July, the Moga school principal allegedly touched several girl students inappropriately and threatened to fail them in examinations if they complained.
How the case of Moga school principal came to light
The matter regarding harassment allegations against the Moga school principal came to light after one of the students told her family about the principal’s alleged conduct. Her parents, along with members of the village Panchayat, went to the school to confront him.
He denied the allegations, but several other girl students then came forward with similar complaints. Police were called to the school.
The accused has been identified as Amarjit Singh, principal of Government Middle School, Mothanwali. According to reports, he has been taken into custody by police, and the state school education department has placed him under suspension.
10-12 students ‘molested’
Moga School Principal sexual harassment case: Reports indicate that 10 to 12 female students of Classes 6 and 8 have alleged molestation by the principal. Family members and Panchayat representatives reportedly confronted him on school premises, leading to a heated exchange, before police arrived and intervened.
An investigation is underway. Given that the complainants are minors, the case is likely to attract provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in addition to relevant sections of criminal law.
This is a developing story. North Desk will update as further details, including police and education department statements, become available
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