Deputy Superintendent of Police Nayana Goradiya confirmed the arrest on Saturday, marking the end of a silent abuse cycle that police said had lasted for a long time. The accused, a teacher at a government school in Amreli district, is now in police custody facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code for rape.
The breakthrough didn't come from a routine complaint. It came from a 'Good Touch and Bad Touch' seminar conducted by the Jafrabad Police Station team under the district's 'Mission Smile' initiative. Goradiya noted that while the abuse was ongoing, the awareness sessions gave the victims the psychological safety to speak up.
The specific trigger was a girl who realized the severity of her assault and informed her parents. They contacted the police immediately. Officers, including the Station Officer, rushed to the school and launched an inquiry.
During this initial probe, the modus operandi became clear. The teacher allegedly lured the four girls into the staff room under the pretext of asking them to make tea. Once inside, he molested them. In one instance, the molestation escalated to rape.
The case is now under further investigation. The incident highlights a critical gap: awareness programs are not just educational; they are often the only mechanism that breaks the silence in institutional settings where victims feel powerless.