Trainee teacher held in Mathura for sexually harassing minor girls

Agra: A trainee teacher in Mathura was arrested on Sunday for allegedly sexually harassing minor girls and showing them explicit content during his internship at a govt-run school. The arrest came after the school principal and students approached the Chhata police station to file a complaint against the accused.

DSP Ashish Sharma confirmed that the children, the principal, and the parents came to the police station. "An FIR was filed under section 75 (sexual harassment) and relevant provisions of the Pocso Act. The accused was an intern, not yet a full-time teacher. We will also inform the basic education department to ensure he is debarred from all future teaching opportunities," he said.

The 26-year-old accused, a resident of Mathura, had recently completed his Diploma in Elementary Education and was undergoing training at a composite govt school catering to students from Class 1 to 8. Chhata SHO Vinod Babu Mishra, said the school staff and families of the children were hesitant to register a formal complaint, so police filed an FIR on their own and arrested him.

The school principal told TOI, "The accused was sexually harassing and showing explicit content to girls in classes 7 and 8 for around 10 days. They complained to me on May 10. I then went to the police station. The girls' parents have also been called. We want strict action against the accused." Several students also spoke to TOI and said, "Our teacher showed us explicit content and said inappropriate things to many of us."