Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Jawahar Nagar police have arrested a 47-year-old classical music teacher for allegedly sexually harassing a student over a period of more than two years starting April 2022, when she was a minor. Police suspect the accused may have exploited several other girl students too.
The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the woman, now 22, on Nov 3 alleging that the abuse began in April 2022 and continued till Oct 2024, when she quit the classes. An FIR has been registered under sections 74, 75, 76, 78 and 79 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and sections 8, 10 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, commissioner of police Pravin Pawar said. The complainant, a native of Haryana, moved to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2020 to learn classical music, according to the FIR. In her complaint, the woman alleged that from April 2022, the teacher began giving her undue attention and sought closeness under the pretext of mentoring. She quit the classes in Oct 2024 and has since suffered from depression, police said.
Because she feared damage to her career and reputation, the complainant told police she did not report the incidents earlier. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
She told police that the classes proceeded normally during the first year. Her parents, who had known the teacher for years, sent her for full-time training on his advice. She stated that he would often hold her hand and touch her inappropriately, making her uncomfortable. She further alleged that he made vulgar jokes in class and misused his position to keep her under his control. She alleged that the teacher later spread rumours about her to turn her friends against her, causing severe mental distress. She approached the police after recounting the alleged ordeal to her parents. Sub-inspector Radha Late has been appointed the investigating officer. Download the TOI App.
The FIR also stated that he insisted she consume alcohol before she turned 18. In her complaint, the woman alleged that during a trip to Pune for a music event, the teacher held her hand and tried to kiss her. On another occasion, he allegedly took her to his house on a pretext and attempted to remove her clothes. She further alleged that he tried to force himself on her when she was alone with him but stopped after she resisted.