Chennai: The headmistress of a government-aided middle school, who had moved for a transfer fearing for her life, was reportedly assaulted by the school management, on Monday. Sources said Sridevipriya, headmistress of R.J.R Middle School in Korukkupet, was leading the assembly on Monday when the gathering was disrupted following the splashing of water from the terrace on the students.
She called out to those on the terrace, recognising a few of the students staying in the school complex. She suggested to them not to disturb the assembly, which then resumed shortly only to be disrupted as the splashing of water recurred. This time, Pushparaj, former secretary and present president of the School Committee, appeared at the parapet and showered abuses on Sridevipriya from there.
The headmistress sent the students off to their classrooms and got on with her class for VIII standard students in a first floor classroom. A little later, the duo — Pushparaj and his wife Jayanthi, who is the secretary of the school — barged into the classroom and allegedly abused the HM besides thrashing her in full view of her students in the classroom.
An injured Sridevipriya was treated at Government Stanley Hospital later. Based on her complaint, the Korukkupet police issued a community service register receipt against Jayanthi and Pushparaj.
In 2013, Sridevipriya had lodged a complaint with the Korukkupet police against Puspharaj for sexually harassing her. Subsequently, he was arrested and remanded in judicial custody for 15 days. Apart from this, Pushparaj faced another sexual harassment charge filed by another teacher of the school. The management reportedly continued to victimise her by locking the toilet and not providing her seats in the classrooms. The number of students on the rolls dropped to 240 from 500.
“We have already moved the Madras High Court seeking to direct the authorities to dispose her transfer request citing the hostile working atmosphere at the school. Pushparaj was ousted from the secretary’s post following serious allegations against him,” Sridevipriya's husband Somasundaram told DC.
