Jhunjhunu: A physical training instructor (PTI) at a govt school in Churu district was suspended Friday following allegations of raping a 16-year-old Class 11 Dalit student. Outraged family members and local villagers locked the main gate of the school under the Sandwa police station area and staged a demonstration, demanding the teacher’s immediate arrest.The protest disrupted school operations for nearly two hours before police persuaded the locals to unlock the premises and allow students inside.According to Sandwa SHO Mahendra Kumar, the survivor’s father filed a complaint stating that the incident occurred on July 30. The girl had gone to school as usual but went missing after recess. Prompted by school staff, her father began searching for her. Around 12:30pm, the survivor returned to the school premises in a visibly shaken state.She later disclosed to her family that the accused PTI had signalled her to come outside the school gate around 10:20am. The teacher allegedly coaxed and pressured her onto his motorcycle, taking her to his empty residence nearby. There, he allegedly locked her inside a room and sexually assaulted her before letting her go.Taking administrative action given the gravity of the matter, Churu District Education Officer Sajjan Singh Saini suspended the accused teacher with immediate effect and initiated a formal departmental inquiry.Police confirmed that the survivor’s medical examination has been conducted and a case has been registered under relevant sections, including POCSO and SC/ST Acts. The accused fled the village shortly after the incident and remains at large.Dy SP Darjaram Bos is leading the investigation, and special police teams have been deployed to trace and apprehend the absconding govt teacher.
