Beechanahalli: Following a complaint from Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Asha over misbehaviour with girl students by Head Master (HM) Naganna and attender Ramesh  of Government High School, Antharasanthe, while on tour, Antharasanthe Police have registered a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act  against the HM and the attender.

The Police have launched a manhunt for  HM who is absconding and are waiting to take custody of the attender, who is undergoing treatment after consuming overdose of sleeping tablets.

After the news about the HM and the attender misbehaving with girl students at the beach in Murudeshwar was  out on media, Deputy Director of Public Instructions (DDPI) and Block Education Officer (BEO) learnt about the incident and attender Ramesh was suspended and a notice was issued to HM Naganna.

CDPO Asha and Counsellor Jayasheela, who visited the school yesterday, gathered detailed information from the students and teachers about the incident at the beach and about the argument between the parents and the HM at the school.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, CDPO Asha said that the girl students had narrated their ordeal with the teachers during the tour and the teachers had  recorded a video of it. The teachers have given their version and the students have also given details of the ordeal they underwent.

Sub-Inspector gives a mouthful to CDPO

When CDPO Asha, went to Antharasanthe Police Station to lodge a complaint against the HM and attender, Sub-Inspector (SI) Ravikumar allegedly scolded the CDPO in a raised tone saying, “What… you have come now to give complaint. What were you doing all these days?”

When the CDPO told the SI “Sir, we needed time to collect information from the students and teachers and hence there was a delay,” to which the SI said “Alright, give the complaint and go, we will see.”

Meanwhile, Circle Police Inspector (CPI) Lakshmikanth informed that a case under POCSO Act has been registered against Head Master Naganna and attender Ramesh.

CPI Lakshmikanth told SOM “Based on CDPO’s complaint, case has been registered under Sections 10 and 12 of POCSO Act and investigation is on. As the incident took place in Murudeshwar beach, permission has to be taken from the Court and the statements have to be recorded. There are chances that the case could be transferred to Murdeshwar Police Station also.