School Principal dismissed for harassment of 142 girls in Haryana's Jind

In a significant move, the Haryana government has terminated the services of Kartar Singh, the principal of the Government Senior Secondary School for Girls in Jind district. The dismissal follows grave allegations of sexual harassment involving 142 girl students.

The action to remove Singh from service was taken in response to severe allegations of misconduct, particularly the sexual harassment of numerous students. The decision, based on the findings of an inquiry committee, was endorsed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Dismissal under Constitutional Authority

Singh's dismissal orders are being issued under Article 311 (2)(b) of the Constitution, allowing the competent authority to dismiss individuals employed in civil capacities under the Union or state government without a departmental inquiry in cases of serious misconduct.

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The inquiry, prompted by a letter from 15 students, revealed that 142 out of 390 girl students in Classes 9 to 12 testified against Singh. The preliminary inquiry found Singh prima facie guilty of sexual harassment.

Government's swift response

Responding promptly to the grave nature of the allegations, the government has appointed a woman principal and 16 new staff members at the girls' school. Haryana Chief Minister Khattar emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for such incidents and assured that the accused would not go unpunished.

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Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana state women commission, has been tasked with organizing seminars with the police to prevent such incidents in the future. The government's swift response underscores its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for students.