Mumbai, Feb 1 (Mid-Day): 17-year-old HSC student filed FIR against Chate coaching centre owner after a heated debate over uncovered syllabus and demands for a fee refund.

A 17-year-old student of a coaching class in Sion on Wednesday registered an FIR against the institute’s owner for molestation. The accused, Machindra Chate, owner of the Chate coaching classes, surrendered to the Bhoiwada police on Thursday afternoon.

Machindra Chate, owner of Chate coaching classes, was produced in Bhoiwada court and released on bail

On Wednesday around 4 pm, a heated discussion took place between the coaching centre’s management and the parents of a few students who were angry that the Sion branch of the institute had left out several portions of the Accounts syllabus uncovered. The matter reached Chate’s cabin after five Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) commerce students three girls and two boys demanded refund, claiming that the coaching centre had lapsed in completing portions of the course.

According to police officials, the situation came to blows after the 17-year-old harshly asked Chate in his office at Dadar, “Who will take responsibility for the incomplete portion?” This angered Chate, who verbally abused and assaulted the teenager, she alleged. Senior Police Inspector Vikram Patil of Bhoiwada police station said, “The matter came to our police station around 6 pm. Chate filed a non-cognisable offence against the teenager’s uncle, following which the victim registered an FIR against Chate at 9.10 pm.”

He added, “Since lectures at the Sion coaching class stopped taking place in October, parents of HSC students called a meeting at 4 pm on Wednesday. In order to claim their fee money back, three girls and two boys along with their parents met Chate at his Dadar office. After a heated argument, Chate angrily abused and molested the 17-year-old.”

Asked whether a team had been sent to arrest the accused, he said, “A team was sent to his Dadar office and to his Sewri residence but he was not present at either of these places.” Later, Chate surrendered himself to the police. He said, “When the case begins in court, the truth will reveal itself. I don’t need to justify myself and say anything else.”

Sachin Temkar, public relations officer of the Chate coaching classes, said, “The students are maligning the owner’s name on purpose. No such thing happened that required for a molestation case to be filed. The complainant’s relatives were manhandling Chate Sir, who immediately called the police and filed a non-cognisable complaint against them. The kin of the student are making these allegations in order to get a refund.”

Chate has been booked under section 354 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused was produced in Bhoiwada court on Thursday and was released on bail.