Mumbai | Northeast Press | July 2, 2025 —
A disturbing case of child sexual abuse has come to light in Mumbai, where a 40-year-old school teacher has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused, an English teacher at a reputed school in the city, is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 16-year-old male student multiple times over the course of a year.
The case has triggered widespread outrage among parents, education officials, and child rights activists, once again raising serious concerns about student safety within educational institutions.
According to police officials, the accused began targeting the student during preparations for the school’s annual function in December 2023, where he was involved in organizing dance performances. It is reported that the teacher developed a personal interest in the student and initiated inappropriate advances in January 2024.
After the boy rejected the advances, the teacher allegedly resorted to manipulation, including enlisting a friend to convince the student that such relationships were “normal” in certain social circles. Eventually, the teacher is said to have lured the student to a secluded location and committed the first act of sexual assault.
The abuse continued over several months, with the teacher taking the student to luxury hotels, providing him with anti-anxiety medication and even intoxicating him before engaging in sexual activity. The student reportedly endured the abuse silently due to fear and emotional manipulation.
Police reports indicate that the teacher used psychological coercion and grooming tactics to maintain control over the student. During this period, the minor’s behavior started to change noticeably, prompting concern from family members. However, they initially chose not to report the incidents, hoping the situation would resolve after graduation.
The situation escalated when, after the student had left the school earlier this year, the accused attempted to contact him through household staff. Alarmed by the teacher’s persistence and the student’s worsening mental health, the family decided to file a police complaint.
Following the complaint, the Mumbai Police acted swiftly, arresting the teacher and charging him with penetrative sexual assault, criminal intimidation, and other offenses under the POCSO Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC). The accused has been remanded to police custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether other students may have been targeted.
The school where the incident occurred has issued a brief statement expressing shock and stating that it is cooperating fully with the investigation. The administration has suspended the teacher and launched an internal review of its safety protocols.
However, many parents and community members are calling for more transparency and accountability, arguing that the school must take responsibility for not identifying the warning signs earlier.
