NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of alleged sexual harassment of two teachers at private school in Aligarh

New Delhi- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the alleged sexual abuse and harassment of two teachers at a private school in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, by the brother of the school owner.

The Commission observed that the contents of the report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations. It has issued notices to the Aligarh District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

According to the media reports that prompted the NHRC action (published around 2-3 November), the incident involves a private CBSE-affiliated school in the Quarsi area of Aligarh. One teacher alleged that she had been sexually harassed by the brother of the school owner for a prolonged period, starting around April 2025. She claimed he would call her into a cabin or office without CCTV cameras, subject her to inappropriate physical contact and advances, send her unsolicited money via Paytm (reportedly ₹2,000 without consent), and pressure her to comply. When she objected, he allegedly threatened to have her removed from service.

The second teacher reportedly faced similar harassment and was removed from service after she raised objections. The teachers alleged that the school management took no action on their internal complaints. One teacher stated she had submitted a written complaint to the management on 16 September, but instead of redressal, she was allegedly called to the police station and humiliated in the presence of management. Frustrated, the teachers approached Quarsi police station and later the SSP’s office, seeking legal action and warning of a dharna if justice was delayed.

Police have acknowledged the complaints. Circle Officer Sarvam Singh stated that the matter is about a year old, the allegations and related facts are under investigation, and further action will be taken based on the findings. Aligarh Police directed the local area officer to investigate and take necessary action. As of now, no arrest has been confirmed in the case, and no formal FIR details or charge-sheet information have been publicly reported. The investigation remains ongoing.

The NHRC press release specifically noted that the school management had not acted on the victims’ complaints, leading the teachers to approach the SSP for legal action. The Commission’s intervention places the onus on district authorities to submit a comprehensive report covering the status of the probe, any action taken, and steps to protect the complainants.

Further developments, including any FIR registration, arrests, or administrative action against the accused or school management, are awaited.