The quiet village of Khuntakheda in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district was thrown into turmoil after serious allegations surfaced against the principal of St. Francis School. Joseph, who headed the institution, has been arrested following accusations from several students who claimed he molested them under the guise of disciplinary punishment.
The matter came to light when parents began noticing unusual behavior in their children. Many students had suddenly grown unwilling to attend school. Initially dismissed as routine hesitation, the reluctance soon raised alarm when multiple children shared similar and disturbing accounts. According to their statements, the principal would call them into his office for minor classroom mistakes and allegedly touch their private parts while labeling the act as “punishment.”
As the allegations spread across the village, anger built rapidly among families. On Monday morning, a large number of parents gathered at the school premises demanding immediate action. Tensions flared and a confrontation broke out inside the campus. In the chaos that followed, members of the crowd allegedly assaulted the accused principal before police officers arrived to control the situation.
Police from the Bhot Police Station reached the spot, dispersed the crowd, and secured the accused. Station House Officer Arjun Singh Tyagi confirmed that an FIR had been registered based on a formal complaint filed by parents. He assured that a thorough investigation is underway and that no one found guilty would be spared.
Investigators have seized the school’s CCTV DVR system and are analyzing the footage as part of the evidence collection process. Statements from students, parents, and school staff are also being recorded to establish the sequence of events.
The incident has drawn the attention of local leaders. Block Chief Sardar Kulwant Aulakh and former village head Jogendra Singh visited the school after news of the allegations spread. Both demanded swift and strict action against the accused and assured parents that justice would be pursued without delay.
Joseph remains in police custody as the investigation continues. The case has sparked serious concerns about student safety and accountability within educational institutions. For now, the community awaits the outcome of the probe, hoping for clarity, justice, and stronger safeguards to protect children in the future.