Principal of Public School Arrested in Connection with Sexual Harassment Case

In connection with a sexual harassment case, the principal of a public school in Kodaikanal has been taken into custody, said media reports.

The victim, a Bhutanese girl student, had filed a case against father, ML Bright.

Sheefa Paul, the principal, was produced before a court which remanded her to 15 days judicial custody, reports said.

According to police, Paul complained of chest pain after her arrest and was taken to a doctor, who certified that she was in ‘good health’, said reports.

Bright, the school administrator, is facing the charge of sexually harassing the girl in the hostel located in the hill resort town of Kodaikanal.

The anticipatory bail application of 76-year-old Bright will come up for hearing on July five before the Madras High Court bench, reports said.

A case had been registered against Bright under Sec 354 (outraging modesty of woman by assaulting or using criminal force) and Sec 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act 1998, on a complaint filed by the guardian of the 14-year old student on June 18, said reports.

Bright has been absconding since then. The girl, staying along with 17 others at the house of Bright, which was converted into a hostel, had accused him of sexually harassing her on June 3.

In his petition in the court, Bright said that the girl was paying Rs 500 per month as hostel fees but as she did not pay the amount for three months, she was accommodated in the ‘free hostel’.

As the student did not agree to it, her guardian sought Transfer Certificate on June 16 and lodged a police complaint two days later alleging he misbehaved with the girl.

(Based on internet reports)