Ludhiana teacher caught on camera molesting visually challenged teen: Cops

A physical education teacher was on the run after he was on Tuesday booked for allegedly sexually harassing a 13-year-old visually-impaired girl in a classroom of a special school here. Himanshu Ranjan, 45, the teacher, was suspended after the girl’s mother filed a complaint against him.

Police said Ranjan was caught on surveillance cameras touching the class 8 student inappropriately and they have procured the footage. The complainant told the police that the accused used to touch her daughter inappropriately in the class.

The accused had kept his chair near the girl’s desk. The girl initially ignored the teacher, but when he touched her inappropriately again on April 23 and 24, she informed her parents. The parents took up the matter with the school management.

Assistant sub-inspector Ajit Singh, who is investigating the case, said a First Information Report has been filed against Ranjan under Indian Penal Code’s sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty) and under the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act. “We have launched a manhunt to nab the accused,” he added.

The mother said the 13-year-old had lost her eyesight after developing tuberculosis in her brain when she was in class 5.

First Published: Apr 30, 2019 23:55 IST