Statement of harassed teacher taken but school head not booked

Two weeks after a 27-year-old teacher with Sundarbai Marathi Vidyalaya consumed poison in an unsuccessful suicide bid and his father alleged he had faced years of harassment from school authorities, the police finally recorded the schoolteacher's statement.

But the police have still not booked the school principal, who was accused of making the teacher run personal errands and demanding a steady supply of eatables.

The police had earlier said they had not booked the principal as they were waiting for the teacher's statement.

According to a complaint filed by teacher Dattatraya Gaikwad's father Genba, principal Sanjay Somvanshi made his son supply 30 eggs and a chicken every week, besides making him do menial jobs.
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The complaint said the principal gave false promises of a permanent job to Genba's son.

Fed up of the false promises, Gaikwad told the principal that he could not do these jobs anymore, which led to an argument, and the teacher consumed poison on the school premises on May 11.

Political pressure?

The teacher's family has alleged that the headmaster was being spared as the school is owned by a powerful former MLA.

"I have learnt that this school is owned by a politician of the NCP party who was also an MLA.
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Though I know the name, I am reluctant to reveal it for my son's sake, and I know that no action is being taken as he is exerting pressure on the police," said Genba.

Soon after the complaint was filed at the Yerawada police station by Genba, the police booked the teacher for attempting suicide. No action was taken against Somvanshi as Gaikwad was yet to give his statement.

Yesterday the police recorded his statement, but are yet to book the accused principal. "We have recorded his statement.

It looks like there is no serious offence against the school head and he could be booked under a non-cognisable offence, if at all," said Senior Police Inspector Deepak Sawant.