Hebri: A mathematics teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School at Shivapura near here has been accused of molesting a class 10 girl. It is said that officials in the district public instruction department are trying to hush up the case.

The accused is Venkatramana Kalkura, 42 (in pic). Despite bringing the matter to the notice of the local panchayat, BEO and DDPI, no action was taken against him.

The victim, who belongs to the SC community, had initially complained to her father and brother and finally to the headmaster. She was subjected to harassment since December 2013, which continued till January and February 2014. The matter was reported to the School Management Committee, but the victim did not get justice.

In February, the victim decided to quit studies. However, she was dissuaded by the headmaster from doing so, following which the accused started targeting her. She was given unreasonable punishment.

The issue was then taken up with Shivapura Panchayat president Suresh Shetty. He made efforts to sort out the issue amicably. Shetty did not want the issue to be publicised, as the reputation of the panchayat and the school was at stake.

The victim also complained to DDPI and BEO in March and the DDPI promised the victim that the accused would be transferred this academic year. On Wednesday, the girl met Boralingaiah M B, Superintendent of Police and told him about the atrocity.

Karkala ASP Annamalai, the investigating officer, told Deccan Herald that the main accused Kalkura, along with other accused Suresh Shetty (panchayat president), school teachers Prabhavati and Veena, had been arrested. The teachers and panchayat president were arrested for trying to hush up the crime.

He said that the headmaster would be issued notice for not instituting the sexual harassment committee in the school. “We have spoken to other girls from classes 8, 9 and 10. Three girls said that they were also being subjected to similar acts by the teacher. There are four victims now, aged 14 to 15 years. The accused would call the girls to the staff room on the pretext of helping them solve maths problems and harass them sexually.”

The victim said that the teacher used to hold special classes on holidays for only three or four girls and would behave with them inappropriately. “I and other girls complained to female teachers. But, they spread rumors that we are characterless girls,” she said.

The DDPI said that he had suspended the accused. He had initiated action 15 days ago and had directed the BEO to send the accused on deputation.

The ASP said that henceforth, the police contact numbers would be put up on blackboards and complaint boxes would be kept in schools.