A teacher at a government school in Indore allegedly forced several female students to remove their clothes under the guise of finding a ringing mobile phone during classes.

This shocking incident happened on August 2, when the teacher is said to have taken five minor girls to a washroom and humiliatingly subjected them to physical checks.

The case came to light when social activist Chinmay Mishra filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that pointed out the gravity of this teacher's actions. The PIL was moved before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, in response to which the court passed an order to send in a First Information Report (FIR) against the teacher. The court conveyed its dissatisfaction with the lack of action by the police and sought an update within a week.

The FIR against the accused involves sections 76, and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita referring to assault or acts that would cause hurt with intent to insult modesty, and 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act referring to cruelties committed against children. Since the police investigations concluded with no sexual intention leading to exclusions of POCSO, this case involves other gross accusations.

On 30th August, the High Court directed the Indore Police Commissioner to examine whether the case was entitled to application of POCSO provisions. The court further asked for a detailed report within a month that, however, has not been complied with. Hence, on 13th November, a show-cause notice was served on the Police Commissioner for not obeying its order and called for his presence in the next hearing.

The people responded with shock and even outcry, they wanted to be known for the safety of the students and proper behavior from the educators. The case continues as there is a public reaction towards their handling of such serious allegations against a school official.

On November 25, further development of this alarming case will be ventilated in court hearings.