In a disturbing incident raising serious questions about student safety in educational institutions, the Rohtak Police have arrested a government school principal for allegedly sexually harassing a Class 12 student. The accused, identified as Devender Kataria, was taken into custody on Wednesday evening from Kalanaur after the 19-year-old victim filed a formal complaint.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incident occurred on January 6 during a National Service Scheme (NSS) camp held at the school. The victim stated that she was sitting with a female teacher when Kataria asked her to fetch a notebook from his office. “Principal sir came there and told me to bring a notebook from his office. I went to his office, and he chased me in the corridor where he touched me inappropriately,” the student alleged. She further claimed that Kataria threatened to rusticate her if she revealed the incident to anyone. Fearing academic backlash, the student remained silent for nearly a month before confiding in her parents on Tuesday.
Kalanaur Station House Officer (SHO) Satpal Singh confirmed that the police have recovered a video clip that purportedly shows the principal harassing the student. “The accused has been booked under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against women with intent to outrage modesty) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He was produced in court on Wednesday and has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days,” Singh stated.
This case marks the fifth such incident reported in Haryana schools since July last year, sparking outrage among child rights activists. Satish Sharma, Chairperson of the Rohtak Child Welfare Committee (CWC), expressed grave concern over the recurring cases. “The fact that so many cases are surfacing is a matter of concern. We take these incidents very seriously. Schools need to provide a safe space for children to report such grievances without fear,” Sharma said.
