Outrage At Uttarakhand Residential School: Tailors Accused of Molesting Girl Students, Two Arrested

Around 100 girl students from a residential school in Khatima area of Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district, have alleged that three tailors, who had come to take measurements for their school dresses, touched them inappropriately.

Following the incident, which took place between 22 August and 6 September, two of the tailors, identified as Mohammad Umar and Mohammad Shakil, were arrested on Tuesday (12 September), Times of India reported.

Both Umar and Shakil are residents of Khatima and have been charged with various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including section 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (Pocso) Act. Additionally, services of three teachers have reportedly been terminated.

The school management invited tailors from a hosiery firm to take measurements for the students' dresses at the residential school in Khatima, ToI reported citing sources.

During the process, it is alleged that several girl students were molested by the tailors.

The girls initially reported the incident to the teachers, but the matter escalated when their concerned parents raised their concerns vociferously. The incident came to the attention of the authorities when the parents of the girls filed a formal complaint with the Khatima police through Rajveer Singh Rana, the president of the Parent-Teachers' Association (PTA).

In response to the complaint, SDM Khatima Ravindra Singh Bisht, accompanied by a police team, arrived at the school.

SDM Bisht reprimanded the staff for their apparent negligence, resulting in the detention of three tailors accused of molestation and three teachers, including the vice-principal, for neglecting their responsibilities.

Three teachers, Ashok Arya, Mamta Kholia, and Chandrasekhar, also faced termination for alleged negligence during the measurements, as they were present there.

To gather statements from the affected children, female police personnel were dispatched, according to the district's SSP, Manjunath TC.

The school's CCTV footage was examined before taking action against the accused.

"The girl students alleged that the tailors were touching them inappropriately. Since both the tailors stood accused during the investigation, they have been arrested and booked under various sections of the IPC," the officer was quoted as saying by ToI.

Both tailors were arrested and booked under various sections of the IPC during the investigation.

SDM Bisht said, "The DVR of the CCTV camera has been seized, and investigation has revealed that the tailors were guilty of molesting the girls."

Reacting to the incident, Leelavati Rana, the chairperson of SC/ST commission in Uttarakhand, has called for strict action against the accused.

In addition, Bhuwan Kapri, the MLA of Khatima, has met with school officials and urged the police administration to take resolute measures in the case.