Three suspended at Andhra tribal welfare school after Class IX girl found pregnant
Three staff of a Tribal Welfare Ashram school were suspended after a Class IX girl was found pregnant and alleged sexual abuse by a hostel cook.
Three employees of a Tribal Welfare Ashram school have been suspended after a Class IX student was found to be pregnant and alleged that she had been sexually abused by a cook at the institution's hostel.
The action was ordered on Sunday by S. Prasanth Kumar, Project Officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Rampachodavaram. Those placed under suspension are principal D. Santhimathi, hostel welfare officer P. Vijayakantham and teacher K. Lovamma.
The girl, aged 14, was confirmed to be pregnant during a medical examination at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada on September 10. She is reported to be in the first trimester of pregnancy.
According to officials, her parents took her to the hospital after she complained of illness. The girl subsequently told the authorities that the cook at the ashram school had sexually abused her.
Following this, the school authorities lodged a complaint with the local police, who registered a case against the cook under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
In an official release issued on Sunday, Mr. Prasanth Kumar said the three staff members, including the principal, had been suspended. A separate inquiry is being conducted by Women and Child Welfare officials.
The Project Officer added that the girl's condition is out of danger and that she is receiving treatment at the Kakinada Government General Hospital.