Schoolteacher accused of attempting to rape a student

Karwar, December 28: Tension prevailed at Avarsa village in Ankola taluk on Tuesday as the villagers and students protested against a teacher who allegedly tried to rape a girl.

The village observed a bandh voluntarily in protest against the alleged incident.

According to the complaint filed with school authorities by the student, Physical Education teacher T.H. Hanumanthappa allegedly tried to rape her during a picnic on December 20.

The girl in her complaint said that even before the incident, Mr. Hanumanthappa had been misbehaving with her and demanding sexual favour. He had allegedly threatened to fail her in the examination if his demands were not met.

Mr. Hanumanthappa had accompanied the class 9 students of Katyayani High School when they had gone on a picnic to Bettadahalla on December 20.

The teacher allegedly made some obscene gesturers towards the girl and later tried to molest her.

The girl somehow thwarted his attempt, according to the complaint.

The family members said the girl was in a depressed mood ever since she returned from the picnic and on inquiry revealed the truth. When the news spread the people rushed to the school and demanded action against the teacher.

But Mr. Hanumanthappa had gone on medical leave on Tuesday.

According to D.R. Hichkad, president of Katyayani Education Society, Mr. Hanumanthappa had been working in the school for the last 14 years and had faced eight such cases in the last 10 years. Even police complaints had been registered against him in the past, Mr. Hichkad said. In 2009, a girl student had lodged a police complaint against him for sexual harassment and in 2010 he was accused of torturing a student.

The school administration held an emergency meeting and through a letter urged the Government to dismiss Mr. Hanumanthappa from service. Nagaraj Nayak, Block Education Officer of Ankola, said the letter had been forwarded to DDPI and action would be taken against the guilty.

The protesters and students held a dharna in front of the school and demanded his immediate dismissal.

The villagers alleged that Mr. Hanumanthappa was a habitual offender and must be punished. Ullas Vernekar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, visited the spot and pacified the protesters.

The police had registered a case against Mr. Hanumanthappa.