By

Shazia Siddiqui 

In a recent legal development, the Allahabad High Court intervened in a case involving allegations against a school principal, granting him protection from arrest, and prohibiting any coercive action in response to an FIR filed by a student’s father. The father accused a female teacher at the school of pressuring his son, a student in Class X, into sexual relations and attempting to coerce him into converting to Christianity.

The court’s decision was prompted by the father’s claims that he discovered suspicious conversations on his son’s phone, which were subsequently disseminated on social media platforms and gained widespread media coverage. Despite the father’s efforts, including complaints to the Child Welfare Committee and senior police officials in Kanpur, no action was reportedly taken by the authorities.

In response to the allegations, the legal counsel representing the school principal submitted an inquiry report commissioned by the principal himself. This report, prepared by a retired PCS officer, a school principal, and a social worker, revealed critical details. It indicated that during a dance competition, the student had obtained the teacher’s mobile number and allegedly used it to create fake identities. These fabricated identities were purportedly utilized to manipulate and pressure the teacher, according to the report.

The principal’s legal counsel also argued that the student began making accusations against the teacher only after the matter received widespread public attention. The inquiry further highlighted that despite being a minor, the student exhibited strong mental acumen and a propensity to exert dominance over others.

In its ruling, the High Court underscored that the principal was not directly implicated in the FIR and had acted responsibly by referring the matter to an independent inquiry committee. The court emphasized the necessity of investigating the role of the child, suggesting that if the inquiry’s findings were substantiated, both the student and his father could potentially face criminal prosecution.

Consequently, the High Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Kanpur, to transfer the investigation to the cyber cell for further scrutiny. The court specifically instructed the father to provide the original phone for investigation into whether fake accounts had been created using the teacher’s identity.

The court ordered all involved parties to submit their counter affidavits within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing for July 10, 2024. Pending further legal proceedings, the High Court decreed that no coercive action should be taken against the principal, ensuring his protection from arrest in connection with the case.

This legal decision highlights the judiciary’s cautious approach in addressing sensitive allegations involving minors and underscores the importance of thorough investigation before taking legal action. The court’s directive to involve specialized units like the cyber cell reflects a commitment to handling cases involving digital evidence with appropriate expertise. The ongoing legal proceedings will likely further clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved, ensuring a fair and just resolution to the complex issues raised by the case.

Case Title: Principal St Aloysius High School Cantt Kanpur Nagar v. State Of Up And 2 Others

Citation: Criminal Misc. WP No. – 6450 of 2024
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