Chennai:

Thoothukudi police in Tamil Nadu have arrested a physical education teacher from a private school for allegedly sexually harassing female students and forcing them to drink liquor.

Investigators say this happened on October 22 and 23 when he took the children to attend the District Sports Meet in Thoothukudi. The school had made private arrangements for accommodation and the teacher allegedly violated the girls there.

The investigation is ongoing and the police have invoked the POCSO Act. They also booked the school for not informing the police themselves.

A senior police officer told NDTV, “We have received complaints from two students so far.” He added that the school “did not send any female staff to accompany the girls”.

The issue only came to light after parents staged protests at the school.

In August, a schoolgirl was sexually assaulted and at least 12 others were sexually abused at a fake NCC camp in a private school in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district.