Sacked school headmistress moves HC; advised to go to Tribunal

A school headmistress moved the Bombay High Court today against the management's decision to terminate her services for allegedly keeping them in the dark about a complaint filed against a teacher for allegedly sexually abusing six students in the institution.
However, a division bench refused to entertain her petition saying she should approach the school tribunal which was the proper forum where her grievance could be addressed.
Sheryl Paul, who had served as headmistress of a school in suburban Andheri since 2008, was dismissed from service on July 14 by the school management.
She said the management had got an inquiry conducted by a three-member panel and terminated her services on the ground of alleged misconduct.

On December 17, 2013, a criminal complaint was lodged against a male teacher of the school after six girl students had approached Sheryl Paul to report sexual harassment and abuse they allegedly suffered.
The male teacher was later arrested and he spent three months in judicial custody before securing bail. He is now facing trial in the sessions court.

On January 27, the management sought an explanation from Sheryl Paul for not informing them about the incident prior to the complaint being filed.
She was placed under suspension on February 14.
Urging the court to direct the school management not to take any coercive steps against Sheryl Paul, her lawyer Sunil Dighe said she had directed the "survivors" to lodge a complaint with the police as required under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"It is the duty of the educational institution to report such an incident to police. How can I (Sheryl Paul) be terminated on this ground"? she said.