17 February 2021 :
The principal and a teacher of a school in Patna on 15 February 2021 were awarded death sentence and imprisonment for life, respectively, by a court for the rape of a Class 5 student.
Special POCSO judge Awadhesh Kumar announced capital punishment for the principal Arvind Kumar besides imposing on him a fine of Rs one lakh.
Co-accused Abhishek Kumar, who taught at the school situated in Phulwari Sharif locality of the city, was sentenced for life and slapped with a fine of Rs 50,000.
The case came to light in September 2018 when the victim, all of 11 years, was found to be pregnant upon being taken to a doctor by her parents who got worried over her frequent bouts of illness.
She narrated her ordeal when the parents pressed her with queries. A case was lodged at the Mahila Thana in Patna under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the IPC.