Ranchi- In a significant development in the ongoing scandal at Shraddhanand Sevashram Middle School on Ratu Road, Ranchi, an FIR has been lodged against teacher Abhishek Kumar Sinha for alleged obscene acts and chats with minor female students. The case, which first came to light through a detailed report by The Mooknayak, has triggered swift action from authorities, including the formation of an investigation committee by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Manjunath Bhajantri. The probe has now escalated with forensic scrutiny of the teacher's devices and a stern warning to the school management for their lack of cooperation.

The FIR was filed at Sukhdevnagar police station based on a written complaint from the Ranchi Child Welfare Committee (CWC), chaired by Kunti Devi. In her statement, Devi highlighted that information about the teacher's inappropriate behavior including obscene chats and harassment of minor girls, surfaced through newspaper reports. The commission's report, submitted to DC Bhajantri, recommends strict action against Sinha under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. It also urges departmental proceedings against the teacher and emphasizes the need for a technical investigation into the viral social media chats to verify their authenticity.

The three-member investigation committee, constituted by the district education department following The Mooknayak's exposé, has completed its preliminary probe and submitted its report on Thursday. The panel, tasked with delivering findings within 48 hours, identified at least one primary victim among the affected students, with allegations suggesting up to 15 minor girls were targeted.

Counselors from the child protection team are in contact with the identified victim to provide psychological support and ensure she is not enduring further trauma.

The committee's report explicitly notes the school's non-cooperative stance, stating that when the team visited the premises, teachers and staff denied any knowledge of the incidents and obstructed the inquiry. "The school management failed to provide adequate support, leading to significant challenges in gathering evidence," the report states.

Police has begun probe in the case and Sinha's mobile phone and laptop would be taken for forensic examination. Investigators will also scrutinize his social media accounts to determine the extent of his predatory behavior and identify any additional victims.

The accused teacher, who went missing for two days after the scandal was exposed by media outlets, has reportedly returned home. Education department sources confirmed that Sinha's family members visited the school, pleading for his reinstatement and permission to resume duties. However, the department has issued strict directives prohibiting his entry into the school premises until the investigation concludes.