Teacher allegedly strips schoolgirls, Punjab government orders inquiry

Chandigarh: The Punjab government has ordered an inquiry into an incident in which 13 girl students of a government school in Gurdaspur District were allegedly stripped by a female teacher, who suspected them of stealing a Rs. 500 currency note from her.

Taking a serious view of the alleged incident, state Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema has ordered an inquiry into the case.

Mr Cheema said a report has been sought from the District Education Officer (Elementary), Gurdaspur, in this connection.

According to an official release, the Minister said strict action would be taken if any teacher is found guilty.

He also issued instructions to all government schools in general that he would not tolerate any such incident in future.

According to Gurdaspur police, the teacher, who taught in a government girls middle school in a village in Gurdaspur district, found that a Rs. 500 note missing was from her wallet.

She later called seventh grade girl students and allegedly stripped them in a classroom to look for her note, police had said earlier.

The victims disclosed the incident to their parents, following which one parent registered a case against the teacher under section 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty of woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC and provisions of the SC/ST Act.