Navodaya student molested in Kaimur

SASARAM: Cases of molestation of girls in a Jawahar Navodaya Residential School in Kaimur district allegedly by some non-teaching staff of the school have sparked uproar. The latest victim was a Class VIII student who alleged she was molested in the hostel on Thursday morning. Following a complaint by Rani (name changed), the local as well as the state-level administration swung into action. A para-medical staffer, Madheshwar Singh, who also happens to be an ex-Armyman, was removed following the directive of the regional HRD Commissioner, Patna. A police team has been despatched to the native village of Singh in Arwal district. Singh had fled after the incident. A female teacher and two other non-teaching staff are absconding. On the instruction of Shahabad Range DIG A K Ambedkar, an on-the-spot inquiry was conducted by the Mohania DSP and the allegations were found to be true. The DIG, who visited the school at Chaurasia, said an FIR against the accused had been lodged. The chargesheet would be filed within a week and a request for a speedy trial made, he said, adding all previous complaints of molestation would also be examined by the police. Several girls complained of molestation in the recent past when the inquiry was conducted. The principal of the school, Som Nath, said that strict action would be taken against the guilty. He said that the school administration came to know of the incident only when the written complaint was submitted on Thursday evening. According to sources, the matter came to light only on Thursday morning when an ailing Rani pressed the panic button and shouted for help as the para-medical staffer, who is on the verge of retirement, entered her room and allegedly molested her. At the time of the incident, she was alone as other students were attending classes. After hearing the cry of the girl, the staff and other students ran towards the hostel and chased the accused away. After learning of the incident, parents of the victim girl reached the school on Friday.