School principal removed for sexual harassment

The Principal of a government-run meritorious school has been removed from the post after being indicted for sexual harassment, a state government spokesperson said here on Monday.

The inquiry report -- in which the Principal of the Government Meritorious School, Ghabdan in Punjab's Sangrur district, was indicted on sexual harassment charges -- was submitted to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had directed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sangrur to investigate the charges against Wing Commander C. Deepak Dogra (Retd).

In his report, the DC found evidence to support the molestation allegations levelled against the principal by two Class 12 girls.

"Following the submission of the report, and acting on the Chief Minister's directive, the Society for Promotion of Quality Education for Poor and Meritorious Students of Punjab has divested Dogra of the charge of Principal with immediate effect," a spokesperson of the state government said.

"He has been asked to hand over charge to the vice principal, Deepika Rani, and report to the office of Project Director, Society for Promotion of Quality Education for Poor and Meritorious Students."

The erring Principal has been booked under Section 354-A (sexual harassment) of the IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

The Punjab government runs select meritorious schools for bright students from poor and rural backgrounds.

--IANS

js/him/bg