Gauri Neha case: Principal sent on forced leave for grand welcome to accused teachers

“This is a staged performance, the principal had only one month to retire and they have sanctioned a paid holiday for him,” said Gauri’s father.

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Days after Kerala’s Trinity Lyceum School at Thangassery in Kollam reinstated two teachers, who were accused of harassing a 15-year-old girl who later killed herself, the management has directed the school principal to go on leave until he retires.

The decision comes a week after the Trinity Lyceum School staff organised a welcome back party for the two teachers – Sindhu and Crescent. Principal Chev S John has only a month to go before he retires.

Despite attempts by TNM, Trinity Lyceum School was unavailable for comment.

The father of Gauri Neha, the Class 10 student, has reacted to the school’s decision to send the principal on leave as a staged performance to cover up their wrongful acts.

“This is a staged performance, the principal had only one month to retire and they have sanctioned a paid holiday for him,” says Prasanna Kumar.

“He was supposed to retire long back but the management has flouted all government rules and what they have given the principal is a gift. It was no different for the teachers as well. They enjoyed a paid vacation in the name of suspension,” said Gauri’s father.

The school’s move comes in response to the Education Department ordering the school management to suspend the principal and also warning that its No Objection Certificate would be cancelled.

“We had asked the management to send the principal on ‘compulsory leave’ as he had also crossed his age limit for the profession. The management had a meeting today. We are waiting for the results and will take necessary action,” said Jessy Joseph, Assistant Education Director.

“I hope the school is denied a No Objection Certificate. I hope for better treatment of the children in the school in the future,” added Prasanna Kumar.

Meanwhile, Justice for Gauri Neha Forum organised a demonstration on Monday demanding justice for the girl who killed herself due to alleged harassment from the teachers. The demonstration was led by Gauri’s father Prasanna Kumar, who said that his fight will continue till the accused are pronounced guilty. The meeting was also attended by the forum chairman Vishnu Vijayan.

“I will fight till I get justice for my daughter. The accused should be pronounced guilty and they should be punished,” said Prasanna Kumar.

Gauri Neha, a Class 10 student, had jumped from the third floor of her school building on October 20. Gauri’s parents and relatives had alleged that she took the extreme step following harassment by the two teachers. She succumbed to her injuries three days later at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

One of the teachers had allegedly hurled abuses at Gauri Neha for questioning why her younger sister had been shamed in school.

Both Sindhu and Crescent have been booked under section 305 of IPC (abetment to suicide). After the teachers presented themselves before the court they were placed under suspension by the school management following the harassment allegations.

Read: Gauri Neha death: Kerala school in the dock for giving accused teachers hero’s welcome