A guest lecturer posted at Government Inter College (GIC) Gauna in Chamoli district has been removed from service and booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after serious allegations of sexual harassment and abuse involving two students one from Class 12 and another from Class 7. The accused, identified as Yunus Ansari, is currently absconding as police continue their investigation.
According to officials, Ansari appointed as a guest lecturer in Political Science in 2015 was accused by parents of engaging in sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and molestation of their children. The allegations include molesting a Class 12 student under the guise of private tutoring and another alleged act of molestation targeting a Class 7 student.
Tensions escalated after the parents of the affected students lodged complaints regarding Ansari’s alleged sexual abuse. A meeting of the School Management Committee and the Parents’ Association was convened on November 26, during which Ansari reportedly admitted the allegations in writing and apologised, acknowledging misconduct.
Following this, the school principal forwarded a report to senior education authorities recommending immediate action.
Acting on the complaints, the Education Department swiftly terminated Ansari’s contract. The termination order was issued by the principal of GIC Gauna and formalised under directions from the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Chamoli, who also sought a written explanation from the principal for alleged delay in reporting the matter.
The Block Education Officer (BEO), Dasholi, subsequently filed an FIR under POCSO at the Chamoli Kotwali police station. Police have initiated a probe and continue efforts to trace the absconding teacher.
Uttarakhand Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat issued a strong statement condemning the alleged misconduct, asserting that the state government “will not tolerate any act of indiscipline, especially those compromising the safety of students.”
He further directed that monitoring of school operations be intensified and safety protocols strengthened across the state’s educational institutions
Further, it was discovered that Ansari possessed two permanent residence certificates one issued in Najibabad (Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh), where he is originally from, and another issued in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. District authorities have initiated a separate inquiry into Ansari’s documents amid concerns of possible fraud, negligence, or collusion.
