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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Teacher booked for ‘sodomising' student: Punjab child rights panel issues notice to Patiala SSP, seeks report by June 13
As the police are yet to arrest a teacher, who has been booked for reportedly sodomising a 15-year-old student in Nabha town of Patiala district, the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (PSCPCR) on Wednesday issued a notice to the Patiala SSP directing him to submit a report on the matter by June 13. The commission said that they had taken a suo-motu cognisance of the matter and directed Patiala SSP to thoroughly investigate the case and file an action-taken report in the matter before the commission by June 13. The commission in its notice to SSP Patiala has stated that the commission is empowered to conduct a suo motu inquiry under Section 13 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, whenever there were violations of child rights. 'This is a serious issue. We will ensure that the police conduct a fair and speedy investigation into the case. Though the accused is a decorated teacher, we will ensure the rule of law prevails,' said Kanwardeep Singh, chairman, Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. When asked about the boy being threatened in the court by an unidentified individual, the chairman said that they would ensure the safety of the victim. 'We will take care of the safety of the victim. Besides, we will look after his mental health also,' said Singh. The accused teacher is a physical education teacher at Government High School and was booked under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act and 351 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Meanwhile, Patiala police said raids were being conducted to nab the accused. The Punjab education department on Monday suspended the accused teacher.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Children at risk: Unsafe school vans under scrutiny in Ludhiana
Acting on a complaint filed by a city resident, the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (PSCPCR) has directed district education authorities to take strict action to enforce the Safe School Vehicle Scheme under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The move comes amid growing concerns about the safety of school children travelling in unfit and unauthorised vehicles in Ludhiana. Ajay Sharma, a resident of New Shakti Vihar, Jassian Road, had submitted a detailed complaint on April 23, 2025, pointing out the presence of hundreds of school buses and vans plying in the city without proper safety standards. According to Sharma, many of these vehicles are operating with fake number plates and lack basic safety infrastructure. He also accused the traffic police, Regional Transport Office (RTO), and district child protection officials of negligence in checking these violations. In response, the office of the district education officer (elementary) has taken cognisance of the matter. Joint director Rajwinder Singh Gill confirmed in a formal communication that schools will now be inspected to ensure full compliance with the Safe School Vehicle Scheme, and that coordination with the RTO is being established to initiate vehicle checks. This issue, Sharma said, is not new. He had previously filed a contempt petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2015 against prominent schools for failing to adhere to safety norms. In 2023, his complaint also led to an FIR at Police Division No. 8 against school vans using forged number plates. The commission has now reiterated the need for immediate compliance by all departments concerned. Officials have been reminded of their legal obligations under the Juvenile Justice Act and RTE Act to ensure children's safety during school commutes. District education officer (elementary) Ravinder Kaur said, 'I will get it checked and direct the official concerned to take appropriate action and conduct inspections in this regard.'
