The Delhi High Court has upheld a five-year prison sentence for a 65-year-old school teacher convicted of sexually assaulting a minor student in 2016, ruling that minor variations in trial statements do not diminish the survivor’s core allegations.
Delivering the judgment on August 12, Justice Madhu Jain emphasized the sanctity of the teacher-student relationship, observing that educators hold a fundamental duty to protect children rather than exploit their position of trust. The court noted that abusing such authority against a young student represents a severe matter that extends far beyond a routine breach of professional discipline.
The ruling dismissed an appeal filed on behalf of the convict, whose defense counsel, SK Raghuvanshi and A Deb Kumar, argued for leniency citing their client’s age, existing health conditions, and testimony from witnesses who did not support the prosecution. The defense also pointed to discrepancies regarding the exact dates and sequence of the alleged incidents.
High Court Findings and Legal Arguments
Rejecting the defense’s claims, the High Court concurred with state prosecutor Digam Singh Dagar, who argued that minor inconsistencies in peripheral details were inconsequential to the overall case. Justice Jain affirmed that the survivor’s testimony remained consistent regarding the specific locations within school grounds where the assaults took place, validating the trial court’s original assessment of the evidence.
The case originated from a formal complaint lodged on August 11, 2016, in which the minor student reported multiple instances of inappropriate conduct by the teacher on school premises.
Trial Court Background and School Guidelines
Following the initial investigation, a Delhi trial court convicted the teacher on April 16 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for aggravated sexual assault, alongside charges under the Indian Penal Code for outraging the modesty of a woman. The trial court formally handed down the five-year custodial sentence in May. The school’s principal was also tried in connection with the case for failing to report the incidents to authorities.
Addressing institutional responsibilities, Justice Jain stated that educational establishments must actively educate children about their rights and foster an environment where students feel confident reporting uncomfortable or abusive behavior. The court added that children who report such misconduct should be supported and reassured that they have done nothing wrong.
