SC grants relief to teacher in POCSO case, says physical punishment doesn't indicate sexual intent
The Supreme Court on Friday heard a POCSO Act case against a teacher accused of inappropriately touching female students in class, including allegations of touching their backs and waists. Police had filed charges under Section 10 of POCSO Act 2012. After exhausting the High Court, the teacher approached the Supreme Court for relief.
The bench of Justices Ujjwal Bhuiyan and Atul S Chandurkhar observed that while the teacher's method of physical punishment was incorrect and insensitive, it did not indicate sexual intent. The court noted that even acquittal cannot undo the damage caused by trial, as a permanent stigma would attach to the teacher's reputation.
The Calcutta High Court had previously convicted the teacher. The complaint originated when female teachers reported the accused to the headmaster for touching Class 10 girls. The child protection unit investigated and police registered an FIR, which the High Court refused to quash. The Supreme Court has now intervened in the matter.
