Pune: Chaitanya Purandare, a member of the State Child Rights Commission, conducted an on-site investigation at a prestigious CBSE Board school in Warje-Karvenagar on Thursday (December 19) following allegations of molestation by a dance teacher. The case involves a 11-year-old minor student and has raised concerns about the enforcement of child safety protocols in educational institutions.

Addressing the media, Purandare expressed the commission’s deep concern over the incident. “Following a similar case in Badlapur, all schools were instructed to verify the character and background of contractual staff before hiring. Unfortunately, some schools have ignored these guidelines, leading to tragic incidents like this,” he said.

During the investigation, Purandare interacted with the school’s principal, vice-principal, and the counselor to whom the victim had disclosed the incident. He reviewed the measures in place and identified critical lapses in the school’s safety protocols.

The commission has directed the school to immediately install complaint boxes and prominently display child helpline numbers. Furthermore, a mandatory meeting involving parents and teachers has been ordered to promote open dialogue between parents and their children.

The accused teacher has already been arrested. Purandare assured that the police would be instructed to pursue the case rigorously, ensuring strict punishment for the offender. Additionally, the education department and school administration have been instructed to submit a detailed report to the State Child Rights Commission.