Three Punjab teachers suspended after minor's rape

Three women teachers of a government school in Punjab's Ludhiana district were suspended Wednesday following the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl student in the school premises.

State Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema suspended head mistress Joginder Kaur and two other teachers - Tarwinder Kaur and Yojna Sharma - of a Government High School, "taking serious cognizance of the case of rape of a minor student in the school premises during school timing", a statement said.

Terming it as a "serious crime", Cheema said Saturday's alleged rape was a blot on the education system.

He directed the district education officer for secondary education to probe the matter and submit a report.

The girl was allegedly dragged into the school washroom and raped there. The accused fled the spot after committing the crime but was taken into custody later when the girl complained.

Cheema said school heads would be directly responsible for any kind of such anti-social activities in school premises.