Principal accused of molestation, faces action after protest

Ghaziabad: A 60-year-old principal of a government school in Loni has been suspended by the administration after some students complained against his “inappropriate behaviour”. According to the complaints lodged by a group of girls, the principal “touched them on their back and chest” and also beat up students.
The SDM on Thursday said that the administration suspended the principal, Devdut Sharma, immediately after the schoolchildren submitted the complaint. Over 400 students study in the school where classes are held from Class I to VIII. Some school staffers and students have supported the principal.
About 15-20 students of class VIII along with their parents reached the SDM office at Loni and staged a protest for two hours against the principal and demanded his removal from the post. According to a girl, whenever the students went to the principal to ask for leaves, he would touch them inappropriately. She added that Sharma used to beat up the students if they protested. “He threatened to expel me if I lodged a complaint against him,” she said.
Block education officer (BEO) Pawan Kumar Bhati told TOI that it is a serious allegation and a departmental inquiry will be conducted by a four-member committee. “The committee will submit its report to the SDM within 15 days and further action will be taken as per the report,” he added.
“If the school principal is found guilty, the administration will lodge a case against him with the police. However, the students will also be under the radar of the committee and if they are found to be wrong about this, action will be taken against them as well,” Bhati said.
Meanwhile, a video circulating on social media showed some students supporting the principal and saying the allegations are false.