SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi/Dhanbad, Jan 13: The Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) has extended free legal aid to the girl students of Carmel School, Digwadih, Dhanbad, who wish to seek legal action against the school principal over an alleged incident of humiliation.
JHALSA Member Secretary Kumari Ranjana Asthana stated that a joint team from the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and the district administration conducted an inquiry into the matter on Monday. The team recorded statements from the school principal, a teacher, and the guardians of the students.
“If the allegations are found to be true, the female students are victims of molestation and are eligible for compensation under existing legal provisions,” Ashthana said. “We will also recommend strict action against the principal if the investigation confirms the incident,” she assured.
Investigation Conducted by DLSA and Administration
DLSA Secretary Rakesh Roshan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rajesh Kumar, and other members of the probe team visited the school to investigate the allegations.
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Speaking to the media, Rakesh Roshan said that statements from Class X and XI students, the school principal, and parents had been recorded. Additionally, CCTV footage of the incident was reviewed by technical experts.
“The investigation report will be sent to JHALSA soon. Further action will be taken based on their directions,” Roshan stated. However, the officials refused to disclose the findings of the probe.
While the DLSA Secretary will submit the report to JHALSA, the SDM will independently send a separate report to Deputy Commissioner Madhvi Mishra.
The Allegation
According to the parents, the principal of Carmel School allegedly forced Class X girl students to remove their shirts after they wrote signatures on them during a “Pen Day” celebration on January 9. The students were reportedly later sent home wearing blazers.
This incident sparked outrage among parents, Jharia MLA Ragni Singh, Dhanbad MP Dhulu Mahto, and the Jharkhand Abhivawak Mahasangh, who have all demanded the arrest of the principal.
Protests by ABVP and Parents
When the DLSA and district administration’s joint team arrived at the school to investigate, they were met with significant protests from ABVP activists and parents of the students. The protesters displayed posters and demanded the immediate arrest of the principal.
Candle March by Women’s Group
Later in the evening, a women’s group organized a candle march in Koylanagar, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, seeking justice for the affected students.
The Jharkhand Abhivawak Mahasangh has announced a protest (dharna) at Randhir Verma Chowk in Dhanbad, condemning the incident.
Manoj Mishra, General Secretary of the Mahasangh, warned that if the district administration fails to act against the school principal, an intensified agitation will be announced on Wednesday.
