Child rights panel wants criminal action against headmaster who offered liquor to minors

According to the report,these students misbehaved with girl students under the influence of alcohol. When the matter was referred to the commission,the MSCPCR took cognisance and issued notices to the commissioner and project officer of the tribal development department. A police officer of Shedala,where the school is located,was also intimidated.

While the project officer submitted a detailed report on the incident earlier this year,the order in which the recommendation was stated came in June.

While the school has 159 male and 47 girl students (as per December 2012 records) residing in the hostel,44 boys and 30 girl students were in their hostels on the day of the incident.

According to the enquiry report submitted by the tribal development department,three students from class X and two students from class IX were present at the party. Headmaster S S Khekare had organised the party in the school.

“While the school headmaster was not drunk,he had given Rs 500 to five students for liquor. However,the students were not medically examined. As it could not be ascertained whether they had consumed alcohol or not,” said the report. It said the boys threw stones at the girls’ hostel under the influence of alcohol.

MSCPCR said that Khekare,who was present at the hearing,admitted that some students had consumed alcohol.

“In this matter,appropriate action against Khekare have already been initiated by the government for civil wrong. He has been suspended and disciplinary action has been initiated against him. But no criminal case has been filed against the headmaster as a deterrent or punitive measure. The commission,therefore,is recommending that action should be taken against Khekare for criminal wrong committed by him by way of offering liquor to the minors inside the school premises,” the final order of the MSCPCR stated.