A 40-year-old English teacher from a prestigious Mumbai school was arrested by the Dadar police for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old male student over the course of a year. The accused, a married woman with children, faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, along with sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The incident has sent shockwaves through the school community and raised concerns about student safety in educational institutions.
The case came to light when the victim, a Class 11 student, confided in his family about the ordeal after exhibiting signs of depression and anxiety. According to initial police reports, the teacher developed an attraction to the boy during preparations for the school’s annual function in December 2023, where she was choreographing a dance group. Initial advances made by the teacher in January 2024 were resisted by the student, prompting her to involve a female friend to persuade him. The friend allegedly convinced the boy that such relationships were "common" and that he and the teacher were "made for each other."
The abuse began when the teacher picked up the student in her sedan and took him to a secluded location, where she forcibly undressed and assaulted him. Over the following months, she allegedly took him to five-star hotels in South Mumbai and near the airport, where she coerced him into sexual acts after intoxicating him with alcohol. The police have seized the vehicle used in the incidents. Additionally, the teacher reportedly gave the boy anti-anxiety pills without medical supervision when he showed signs of distress, further exacerbating his mental health issues.
The student’s family hesitated to take action initially, hoping the abuse would cease after he completed his board exams and left the school. However, the teacher’s attempt to reconnect with the boy through her maid in early 2025 prompted the family to file a complaint. The accused was arrested on Saturday, and a special POCSO court has ordered a psychiatric evaluation to assess her mental health. The police are also investigating whether the teacher targeted other students and are searching for her female friend, who is currently absconding.
The school has issued a statement emphasising its zero-tolerance policy toward sexual offences and is reportedly cooperating with the authorities. The police are reviewing the teacher’s past interactions and digital records for evidence of grooming or misconduct.
