Daijiworld Media Network – Rajkot

Rajkot, Jun 11: In a shocking incident, a 56-year-old government primary school teacher was arrested by the Patanvav police for allegedly sexually abusing several minor girls inside the school premises over a period of nearly one year.

The accused, identified as Devanand Bera, is physically disabled and nearing retirement. He had been teaching at the government primary school in a local village for the past three years. According to the police, the alleged offenses took place between June 28, 2025, and May 2, 2026, during which Bera allegedly exploited the innocence of the young girls, subjecting them to inappropriate physical contact and serious sexual abuse.

The matter came to light when a student informed her parents about the 'bad touch' she experienced. When the parents enquired further with other students, it was revealed that four more girls had faced similar abuse at the hands of the teacher. The revelation sparked intense outrage among the parents and local residents, who subsequently approached the Patanvav police station demanding strict action.

The Patanvav police have registered a case against Devanand Bera under Sections 75(2), 351(2), 64(2), and 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Sections 6, 8, 10, and 18 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The police have already recorded the statements of the victims and their parents, and medical examinations of the children as well as the accused have been conducted. As the preliminary investigation revealed that the school campus lacked CCTV cameras, the police are gathering additional evidence through other investigative methods. Following his arrest, the Education Department placed the accused teacher under suspension.