In a concerning incident from Pudukottai district, the acting headmaster of Keezha Embal’s Panchayat Union Primary School, along with five other individuals, has been charged under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This legal action follows allegations that they assaulted a mother after she confronted the headmaster for reportedly hitting her eight-year-old son with a stick during class on Thursday.
Two of the accused were later arrested, specifically for allegedly pushing and assaulting the boy’s mother. It has been confirmed that the young victim, a Class 3 student at the school, is a member of a Scheduled Tribe community.
According to police sources, the incident began when the boy experienced an upset stomach and soiled his trousers in the classroom. In response, the acting headmaster, Arokiasamy, is alleged to have struck the child on the shoulder with a stick before sending him home.
The boy subsequently informed his parents about the alleged assault. Following this, his mother, M. Ponnuthayi (25), accompanied by her brother, reportedly went to the school to confront the headmaster regarding the matter.
A heated argument reportedly broke out between Ms. Ponnuthayi and Arokiasamy. During this confrontation, five other individuals from the same locality – Arokiadass, Ivan Diaz, Michaelraj, Xavier, and Prabhu – allegedly intervened, pushing and assaulting Ms. Ponnuthayi. Both the boy and his mother required medical attention and were admitted to the Government Hospital, Manamelkudi.
Acting on Ms. Ponnuthayi’s complaint, the Mimisal police registered a case against the acting headmaster and the five other individuals. The charges include violations of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and Section 75 of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, in conjunction with various sections of the BNS.
Sources confirm that Arokiadass and Ivan Diaz have since been arrested in connection with the alleged assault on the woman.