Surat : Police Arrest Ashram Teacher Under POCSO Act for Sexual Abuse Of Tribal Girls

Surat : A distressing incident has come to light in the serene tribal hinterland of Mandvi taluka, Surat district, where an English subject teacher at an ashram school stands accused under POCSO Act of physically assaulting four girls, shaking the community to its core.

The accused, identified as Hardik Sudhirbhai Pandya, a resident of Mahuva taluka in Bhavnagar, has been taken into custody following a complaint filed by the grandfather of one of the victims.The accused was residing in the Mandvi Ashram school.

Reports indicate that the accused teacher had been allegedly perpetrating these heinous acts of abuse over the past five months, leaving a trail of trauma and fear among the young students. Tribal children from Surat and Tapi districts attend this ashram school, making the situation all the more distressing for the community.

According to the filed complaint, the shocking incident came to light when the grandfather of one of the victim girl alleged that Pandya had subjected his granddaughter to physical abuse in June, prompting the girl to contact her grandparents. Swift action was taken as the concerned grandparents rushed to the ashram school and uncovered Pandya in discussion with the school principal.

The principal, upon learning about the allegations, confronted other girls, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse inflicted by the accused. The gravity of the situation led to immediate action, with the principal alerting the women’s helpline. Subsequently, law enforcement authorities were notified, and based on the complaint filed by the minor, a case was registered against Hardik Sudhirbhai Pandya under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Prevention of Scheduled Caste/Tribe Atrocities Act.

DySP BK Vanar, the investigating officer, confirmed that following the formal complaint, an investigation was initiated, resulting in the arrest of the accused teacher. Statements are being collected from both school staff and the victims to shed light on the details pertaining to the other girls mentioned in the complaint.

This distressing episode has sent shockwaves through the community, emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding the well-being and safety of students, especially in educational institutions.