PATNA: Five students of St Joseph's Convent Girls' High School at Barh under the Barh police station area in Patna district lodged an FIR against a
priest of the school on Thursday for allegedly sexually harassing them for the last four to five months.
A police officer, on the condition of anonymity, said the girls have accused Father Stalin (45) of touching them inappropriately on several occasions in the name of either praising or punishing them.
Sources said the victims also alleged that when they raised the issue before the school administration, they were threatened that their names would be struck out from school register.
"The victims have alleged that the accused was earlier kicked out from the school after similar complaints," sources said.
Barh ASP Manoj Tiwary said the students met him and he has directed the Barh police station officers to take necessary action.
Barh police station SHO Manoj Kumar Sinha said an FIR was lodged against Father Stalin on the girls' complaint. "Most of the victims are either in Class X or IX," the SHO said.
"A police team went to the accused's residence near the school on Thursday evening, but he was not there," he said. He also said police also quizzed school principal Deepika Kumari in this connection.
He said the FIR was lodged under Section 8 (sexual harassment) of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Section 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) of Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections.
Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj said investigations were on and the accused would be arrested soon.
