Peon detained in Kullu for molesting schoolgirls

A peon at a Government Primary School in the Dughi Lug area of Kullu district has been detained on the charges of child molestation and sexual abuse after several schoolgirls made allegations against him. The Kullu police registered an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and corresponding sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a video of the students’ statements went viral on social media.

In the video, the distraught pupils recount instances of unwanted touching and other misconduct allegedly by the peon. Local residents, alarmed by the students’ detailed accounts, immediately rallied parents and village leaders to demand justice. Several families then approached the police to submit complaints.

Kullu SP Karthikeyan Gokulachandran said that an FIR had been registered and detained the accused. “We have taken swift action based on the video evidence and the complaints. The accused will be interrogated, and if found guilty, stringent penalties under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will be imposed,” he added. The authorities have recorded the statements of the victims and the witnesses, arranged medical examinations for forensic evidence and provided psychological counselling to the affected children.

The incident had sparked widespread outrage among villagers. Many villagers had petitioned the authorities for the immediate suspension and arrest of the peon. They had staged protests outside the school and the police station. Parents expressed shock at how the misconduct was not noticed in a government-run institution tasked with safeguarding children. “We trusted the school to protect our daughters,” said one mother. “This betrayal cuts deep,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Education Department has been alerted and is expected to initiate an internal inquiry. The authorities concerned have assured that any lapse on the part of the school staff or administration in reporting the matter promptly will be looked into. Officials have pledged to review current child-protection policies, conduct mandatory background checks on staff and introduce regular training on how to safeguard students.

Experts and activists say that the incident underscored the urgent need for robust child safety mechanisms in rural schools. They also call for independent audits, clear grievance channels for students and parents, and curriculum-based awareness sessions on sexual abuse. Community leaders emphasise that social media vigilance played a critical role in exposing the crime and they hope the case will prompt lasting reforms to ensure every child’s right to a secure learning environment.

Himachal Tribune