New Delhi (Agency): The district administration in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has suspended the hostel warden of the Government Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School at Kadamparai. This action follows allegations from students of food poisoning and sexual harassment. Five boys from the hostel were taken to the hospital for alleged food poisoning. Students and parents protested in front of the school, demanding action.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) Scheduled Caste Wing Chairman, M.P. Ranjan Kumar, inspected the hostel and alleged that the warden, Palanisamy, sexually harassed the boys regularly and used physical violence as punishment. The District Collector formed a team to investigate the matter, and after finding evidence of mismanagement and misconduct, the warden was suspended.
A new warden, Thirumoorthy, has taken charge, and further action is being considered, including filing a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
The District Collector expressed concern about the allegations and pledged to ensure students’ voices are heard during inspections to prevent such incidents in the future.
Sources connected to the school administration mentioned that previous complaints had been received about the warden’s behavior and that measures would be taken to improve feedback channels for students in the absence of the warden during inspections.
