Ahmedabad: Shockwaves have gripped Gujarat's Rajkot district after a government primary school teacher was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing five minor girls over the course of nearly a year inside the school premises.
The accused, 56-year-old Devanand Bera, who is specially-abled and uses crutches, was taken into custody from Kundhesh village in Upleta taluka following complaints from parents.
Police said the offences occurred between June 2025 and May 2026, when Bera allegedly exploited the innocence of Senior Kinder Garten students, subjecting them to inappropriate physical contact and aggravated sexual assault. The case surfaced after one child confided in her parents about "bad touch," leading to revelations that four more girls had suffered similar abuse.
Outraged families approached Patanvav Police Station, prompting registration of a case under multiple sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have recorded statements from victims and parents, conducted medical examinations, and are probing the lack of CCTV surveillance at the school.
The District Primary Education Department has suspended Bera and initiated a departmental inquiry. Authorities say the investigation will also examine systemic lapses in school safety.