SURAT: A 40-year-old sports teacher of a school in Lal Darwaja area was sentenced to five years imprisonment on Wednesday for sexually assaulting two Class VII boys three years ago.
Additional sessions judge DP Mahida convicted Jitesh Vaghela after finding him guilty under sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act.
The offence was registered against Vaghela in May 2017 in Mahidharpura police station.
He was sentenced three years jail under POCSO Act section 8 (sexual assault) and five years under section 10 (aggravated sexual assault).
Vaghela had sexually assaulted two students aged 12 years and 13 years when he had accompanied them for a sports tournament in Junagadh in October 2016.
He had kissed the boys and touched their private parts when they were alone. He also invited the boys to come and sleep in his room.
One of the boys informed his father about the sexual assault in October 2016 after which the latter met the school authorities. The school officials assured strict action and sent Vaghela on leave.
After a few months, the father came to know that Vaghela was coming to school often. He then contacted police and lodged a complaint.
“The teacher was convicted based on the statements of the boy, his father and other witnesses,” said advocate Priti Joshi, who represented the complainant in the case.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)