Pramesh S Jain
A 59-year-old headmaster of a government higher primary school in Bengaluru has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually abusing a minor student,police said.
The accused, identified as Chandraiah,was serving as the headmaster of a government school in Srirampura and was reportedly close to retirement.
According to police,the alleged abuse had been taking place over the past year.The case came to light after the student was found to be around one-and-a-half months pregnant.
Based on a complaint filed by the girl’s family, the Srirampura police registered an FIR on May 22, 2026, under relevant sections of the POCSO Act.The accused was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Police said the survivor has been provided medical care and counselling support.Members of the Child Welfare Committee,Bengaluru North,have temporarily shifted the girl to a government rehabilitation facility on Hosur Road for care and protection during the investigation.
Officials said the District Child Protection Unit has also been instructed to coordinate with police and ensure appropriate support measures for the child.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about child safety and monitoring mechanisms within educational institutions.
In a separate incident reported earlier this year in Bengaluru’s Byatarayanapura area,a minor student alerted her family after allegedly escaping an attempted sexual assault by a physical education teacher inside a government school premises.
Police said the accused teacher, who was working on a contract basis, was later suspended following a complaint filed by the family.
Authorities and a city-based NGO had extended support to the student,while police officials commended her presence of mind and assured assistance for her education.
In a separate case reported earlier this year in Bengaluru’s Byatarayanapura area,a minor student escaped an alleged sexual assault attempt by a physical education teacher inside a government school premises.
According to sources,the student was playing on the school campus when the accused teacher allegedly called her to the auditorium after other staff members had left for the day.
Investigators said the teacher allegedly sent other children home and locked the auditorium before attempting to assault the girl.
Sensing danger,the student resisted,managed to escape from the spot and later informed her family about the incident.Her family subsequently approached the police and filed a complaint.
Following the complaint, police,along with a city-based NGO, informed the school management,after which the accused teacher—who was working on a contract basis — was suspended from service pending inquiry.
Officials said the student was later appreciated by police personnel for her courage.Authorities and social workers also extended support for her continued education.
The girl,who comes from an economically weaker background,has reportedly expressed her ambition to pursue a career in law in the future.
