Sundargarh: A former school headmaster was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) by a POCSO court today along with a fine of Rs 70,000 in a sexual harassment case in Sundargarh district.
The convict man identified as Shyamsundar Patel would undergo an imprisonment for additional seven months in case he fails to pay the imposed fine amount, the designated court ordered.
It is pertinent to mention, the victim Class-10 girl student fell off the rooftop of her hostel building under Lefripada police limits of the district, in a bid to escape, after being sexually harassed by her school headmaster on April 1, 2022. Later, she died on the way while being taken to hospital in critical condition.
The minor who belonged to Bhalugada village was a student of Patuadihi panchayat high school. She was staying in the hostel. On the intervening day, she fell off the rooftop and later died.
On being informed, a police team led by Lefripada IIC Hemangini Gardia had reached the school and initiated a probe. The cops had detained three persons, including the headmaster, an assistant teacher, and the hostel warden for interrogation. Police had then registered a case in this connection.
The former headmaster was arrested by the probe team the next day and forwarded to court.
