The police in Odisha's Kalahandi district has registered a criminal case against a school headmaster on charges of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old tribal girl student.
The police registered the case following an inquiry conducted by the district administration at the instruction of Collector Parag Harshad Gavali.
The villagers had informed the Collector that the headmaster had suppressed the matter and the girl was denied justice.
The incident took place at Sirmaska Government UG High School where the tribal girl was staying at the hostel.
Police said the accused headmaster was named in the the FIR lodged by the District Welfare Officer.
The victim alleged before the officials and police that on the night before Ganesh puja, when she was doing decoration work, the headmaster asked other girls to leave and then sexually assaulted her.
The girl alleged that she was also molested multiple times and the headmaster threatened her with dire consequences if the matter become public.
The girl said she did not lodge a complaint fearing the teacher.
SDPO Biranchi Dehuri said women police personnel examined the girl and audio-visual version of her statement was recorded. A medical examination was also conducted on her.
Police said the accused teacher, who also happens to be the leader of the teachers' association, has been absconding.
The teacher has been suspended from service, officials said adding that police are on the lookout for him.
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