SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 12: Taking serious note of an incident where girl students were reportedly undressed at Carmel School Digwadih during the celebration of ‘Pen Day,’ the Jharkhand Abhivawak Mahasangh has filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), demanding that an FIR be lodged against the principal, Sister M. Devashree, under the POCSO Act.
Plea to book principal under POCSO Act
Jharkhand Abhivawak Mahasangh President Pappu Singh and General Secretary Manoj Kumar Mishra, in their memorandum to the NCPCR, stated that the principal’s actions were “shameful and disgusting” and involved 80 students. They accused the principal of tarnishing the image of a school, calling it a “temple of education,” and urged a thorough investigation of the incident along with action under the POCSO Act.
The Mahasangh has also sent a copy of the complaint to the Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR).
Also Read: National Youth Day brings fitness and unity to the streets of Ranchi
Incident Details
According to the parents, the incident occurred on January 9 at Carmel School, Digwadih. Class X girl students were celebrating ‘Pen Day’ on campus as it was their last day. As part of the celebration, the students signed each other’s clothes. The principal allegedly misinterpreted their actions, forcibly removed the students’ clothes, and sent them home wearing only their blazers.
On Saturday, parents and Jharia MLA Ragini Singh strongly opposed the principal’s actions and complained to Deputy Commissioner Madhwi Singh. Taking the matter seriously, the deputy commissioner formed a five-member inquiry committee headed by SDM Rajesh Kumar to investigate the case.
Concerns Over the Inquiry
The Abhivawak Mahasangh expressed distrust in the district administration’s inquiry, citing procedural lapses. According to General Secretary Manoj Kumar Mishra, the investigation team did not secure the CCTV footage from the school during their visit on Saturday. Instead, the school staff was tasked with preserving the footage until Monday.
“When the probe committee visited the school, the principal neither met them nor handed over the CCTV footage. Surprisingly, the SDM assigned the responsibility of safeguarding the CCTV footage to the school staff itself. How can we trust the integrity of the district administration’s investigation under such circumstances?” said Mishra.
Ultimatum Issued
The Jharkhand Abhivawak Mahasangh has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the district administration. The group announced that if no action is taken against the principal within 24 hours, guardians of Carmel School Digwadih, along with parents from other private schools, will stage a dharna (sit-in protest) at Randhir Verma Chowk starting at 1 PM on January 14.
Candlelight March Planned
Meanwhile, the women’s organization Khusiyo Ki Udan has announced plans to hold a candlelight march on Monday evening to demand justice for the Class X students of Carmel School, Digwadih. The march will begin at Nehru Complex and conclude at Durgamandir Roundabout in Koyla Bhawan.
