Akola pvt school staffer molests 10 girls, arrested

Akola: A private school employee in Akola's Kaulkhed area was arrested for molesting 10 girl students — students of Classes 4 to 7 — raising a question mark on students' safety. The accused assistant teacher, Hemant Chandekar, was sent to judicial custody on Thursday.
In August last year, a male sweeper of a co-educational school in Badlapur was accused of sexually abusing two four-year-old girls, triggering statewide uproar.
When women school teachers were away on a six-day training from March 3, Chandekar was entrusted with running the school's affairs. While teaching girl students, he is accused of touching them inappropriately. Aggrieved and scarred, the girls informed their parents about "bad touch" by Chandekar. Angry parents then reported the matter to school authorities.
When the teachers returned from training, they noticed the girls were talking in hushed voices which alarmed them. After convincing them to confide, the girls hesitatingly narrated their ordeal. On learning about Chandekar's despicable act, the teachers too informed the school administration who immediately informed the Child Helpline.
On a complaint of Child Helpline coordinator Harshali Gajbhiye the police immediately registered a case against Chandekar and arrested him.
Akola city ACP Satish Kulkarni said, "The girls' safety is our priority. Strict action will be taken against the accused so that no one can dare commit such a heinous act in future."
Sources there is a need for strict laws and strict monitoring for school children's safety. Strict background checks and psychological analysis of teachers should be made mandatory. Teachers and parents need to be vigilant so that those who commit such acts with innocent children can be caught in time.