Probe into girl students harassment

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad,April 7: A division bench comprising the Chief Justice, Anil R. Dave, and Justice Ramesh Ranganathan of the AP High Court on Tuesday directed the West Godavari SP to conduct aninquiry into allegations that two Zilla Parishad High School teachers misbehaved with girl students.
The court was dealing with a petition filed by Mr G. Srinivasa Rao, an employee of Mahatma Gandhi Yoga Vidyalayam at Bhimavaram.
According to the petitioner, four girl students of the school at Veeravasaram village were allegedly sexually harassed by two teac-hers in December 2008.

The issue came to light when the victims lodged a complaint with the principal. Mr Ramalinga Swamy, counsel for the petitioner, said the students protested against the alleged misconduct of the teachers and sought action against them on December 11, 2008.

He complained that the district administration did not initiate any action against the erring teachers except transferring them.The bench, while expressing concern, asked the counsels of the home department, Ms Rachana, and the school education department, Mr P. Srinivasulu, whether they would have kept quiet if it happened to their own child?

Justice Ramesh Ranganathan said according to law, the police is empowered to act on any information they receive. The court passed an order directing the SP to probe into it.