Karimnagar school horror: Office subordinate used morphed pictures to blackmail, sexually abuse 4 minor students; held

Karimnagar: Police have arrested an office subordinate for allegedly blackmailing and sexually abusing four girl students in a government school in Gangadhara Mandal, Karimnagar district.

District Collector has suspended the headmistress for gross negligence and cover-up.

Attender arrested for repeated abuse

Police arrested Md. Yakoob Pasha (30), an office subordinate at Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS), Kurikyala, for allegedly sexually abusing four girl students over the past few months on the school premises.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had morphed photographs of the victims, taken during the school’s annual day celebrations, to blackmail them into silence and continue his abuse. The shocking revelations followed complaints by the victims’ parents, triggering widespread outrage.

Police booked Yakoob Pasha under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Collector orders suspension of headmistress

Following an inquiry, District Collector Pamela Satpathy issued suspension orders against T Kamala, Gazetted Headmaster Grade-II of ZPHS Kurikyala, for attempting to suppress the incident and intimidating staff to remain silent.

The Collector also observed that the headmistress failed in her duty to report the incident to higher authorities and neglected her fundamental responsibility to ensure student safety. The order described her conduct as a grave administrative failure and a severe breach of child safety and protection norms.

The Collector placed her under suspension with immediate effect under the Telangana Civil Services (CCA) Rules, 1991, pending disciplinary proceedings. During her suspension, she has been directed not to leave headquarters without permission, and will receive subsistence allowance as per service regulations.

Copies of the order were sent to the Regional Joint Director of School Education, Warangal, and the District Educational Officer, Karimnagar, for follow-up action.

Women’s Commission seeks stringent action

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Telangana State Women’s Commission Chairperson Nerella Sharada condemned the attender’s actions and the negligence of the school administration.

She directed the district authorities to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and ensure strict punishment for all those found responsible. The Commission has also instructed officials to carry out surprise inspections of schools and hostels across the district to strengthen student safety protocols.

Public Anger and Assurance of Justice

The shocking incident has sparked widespread anger among parents, students, and local leaders, who demanded swift and stringent action against the accused and all those who attempted to cover up the crime.

District officials assured that no leniency would be shown and that measures are being reinforced to ensure the safety and protection of students in all government educational institutions.