Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Oct 27: Elyas Pinto, serving a private college here in his capacity as its director of physical education (PE), who has been arrested on the allegation of sexually harassing a minor girl, was on Tuesday October 26, remanded to 15 days judicial custody by a court here.

The accused was produced in the court on Tuesday. Advocate representing the accused had filed an interim bail application but the court had rejected it. Now the advocate has filed an application for regular bail, and the court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday October 27 in order to enable the public prosecutor to file objections if any.

A Madikeri-based minor girl, who is a first PU student of a prestigious educational institution in the city, and who is staying in the hostel of the same institution to pursue her education, had complained to the women's police station here about the sexual harassment suffered at the hands of the accused, on October 23. He was arrested by the police personnel from near the Puttur Club on Monday October 25.

The accused happens to be the physical education teacher of the aggrieved girl. It is said that on October 23, the girl had complained of pain in the waist at which the PE director got her to do certain exercises. It is said that during this period, he unfairly touched her waist. The girl conveyed this fact to her parents staying in Madikeri and they had visited the college to make enquiries on October 25, sources stated. It is aid that during the visit, the parents along with the student went to the police station and filed the said complaint.