MP: Jhabua SDM arrested on charge of sexual harassment of tribal girls


PTI, Jul 11, 2023, 3:40 PM IST

Asub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district was arrested on Tuesday for alleged sexual harassment of minor tribal girls at a government-run hostel, officials said. The incident took place on Sunday when SDM Sunil Kumar Jha went to inspect the hostel for tribal girls, as per a complaint filed against him.

Following the complaint, he has also been suspended, the officials said. The accused allegedly committed obscene acts with the minor students during the inspection, Superintendent of Police Agam Jain said quoting the complaint by the hostel’s superintendent.

Based on the complaint, Jha was arrested and a case registered against him under Indian Penal Code sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from of Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Jain said.

According to the FIR, the accused allegedly touched and kissed the girls, aged 11 to 13, who were staying in the hostel and asked questions about their menstruation cycle.

On the basis of a report submitted by the Jhabua district collector, Indore divisional commissioner Pawan Kumar Sharma has suspended Jha, a deputy collector rank officer, under the MP government’s Civil Services (Service Conduct) Rules 1965, citing carelessness and gross negligence in performing official duties. Meanwhile, Additional Public Prosecutor Suraj Bairagi said after the arrest, Jha was produced before the POCSO court of special judge R K Sharma who remanded the accused in judicial custody.

Jha’s bail plea will be heard on Wednesday, the prosecutor said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

INDIA bloc seeking JPC probe into Adani ‘scam’, govt scared of debate: Congress after LS, RS adjourned

Burglars decamp with cash Rs 1 crore, 300 gold sovereigns from house in Kerala

Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls

Perth Test: Bumrah leads India to its biggest Test win on Australian soil

Sambhal violence: FIR against SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, SP MLA’s son

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

Related Articles More

INDIA bloc seeking JPC probe into Adani ‘scam’, govt scared of debate: Congress after LS, RS adjourned

Youth Congress demands Adani’s arrest over USD 250 mn bribery charge

RG Kar protests: SC orders SIT probe into custodial torture case, weekly reports before HC

Burglars decamp with cash Rs 1 crore, 300 gold sovereigns from house in Kerala

No ‘formula’ under discussion for CM’s post: Ajit Pawar

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

INDIA bloc seeking JPC probe into Adani ‘scam’, govt scared of debate: Congress after LS, RS adjourned

Ranbir on criticism for doing ‘Sanju’, ‘Animal’: Important to dabble in different genres, characters

Youth Congress demands Adani’s arrest over USD 250 mn bribery charge

Study links overthinking to ‘constant communication’ between brain’s fear-centre, social behaviour

Sometimes I like to take backseat and do films where pressure is not on me: Taapsee Pannu

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.