Hyderabad: A physical education trainer (PET) at a private school in LB Nagar allegedly molested a Class IX student after the Republic Day ceremony at the school on Thursday. The incident came to light when the girl refused to go to the school the next day and revealed the matter to her family on Saturday.
LB Nagar police arrested the PET, Idupulati Raja, and sent him to remand. The girl was in a shock since Thursday, the family said, adding that she was relieved when told about Raja’s arrest. They would now shift the girl to another school. The 16-year-old girl from Bandlaguda studied in the school from Class I.
PE teacher had harassed many
According to police, Raja, 29, a native of Krishna district, completed his graduation in physical training and was working at Genius Grammar High School in Bandlaguda for four years. He used to stay on the campus.
For the past few days, Raja was “misbehaving with the girl and talking to her in vulgar language. Out of fear, she didn’t complain to the school authorities,” police said.
Taking advantage, Raja stepped up his sexual advances to the girl, which culminated in the molestation. After the R-Day ceremony, a few students were helping the school staff with packing and removing the material put up for the event. During this time, Raja asked the girl to take the mike-set to the storeroom.
“Raja followed her into the room. He asked her to kiss him and molested her. When she tried to raise an alarm, he threatened her,” LB Nagar sub-inspector G. Sudershan, said. A case has been registered under Section 354 of IPC and Section 12 of the POCSO Act.
On Friday, she didn’t attend school citing ill health. On Saturday also, when she was hesitated to go to the school, the parents questioned her. She first said she wanted to change the school.
On further inquiries from her elder sister, she spoke about the molestation.
“She tried to give some excuses and then she opened up. After this, I informed my parents. She said he was misbehaving with other girls, but no one dared to speak against him,” she said.
