Teacher Sentenced to Six Years in Jail for Misconduct with Students
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Kangra, October 1, 2023:* In a significant development, a teacher in Kangra district has been sentenced to six years in prison for misconduct with students, as per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Kamaljeet, son of the late Duni Chand, a resident of Baluhi Dakhgar Khera village, Palampur Tehsil, Kangra district, has also been fined 10,000 rupees. In addition to his six-year prison term, he will serve an extra year for failing to pay the fine.
The case was brought to light in 2018 when the school’s principal, Vijay Awasthi, filed a complaint with the Bhawarna Police Station through email. The complaint alleged that in Awasthi’s school, there were 27 female students from the ninth and tenth grades who felt uncomfortable during their classes. The complaint further detailed that the language teacher, Kamaljeet, would intentionally touch sensitive body parts of the female students under the pretext of teaching, causing distress to the students.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Bhawarna Police Station initiated an investigation. The case was subsequently handled by Assistant Sub-Inspector Baldev Raj and presented in court. The trial was presided over by Additional District Judge Rajrani. A total of 51 witnesses were presented during the course of the case.
This sentencing sends a clear message about the seriousness of such misconduct and underscores the importance of safeguarding the well-being and dignity of students.
