Muzaffarnagar,

29 May (HS): A teacher has been detained for allegedly sexually harassing a

16-year-old pupil at a private school in this city, authorities said Thursday. The

education department has closed the school near the Budhana police station area

owing to irregularities. According to authorities, the school had

authorized to enroll children up to grade 8, but it was also operating grades 9

and 10. Shehzad (35), the accused teacher, was arrested on Wednesday under

sections 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her

modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Protection of

Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, according to Budhana Circle Officer

Gajendra Pal Singh.

The

school has been sealed by the Education Department. According

to education department authorities, the school was closed owing to

irregularities, which have prompted an inquiry. The school had

clearance to enroll children up to class 8, but classes 9 and 10 were being

conducted illegally, according to officials.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi