Chennai School Suspends Teacher Accused Of Sexually Harassing Students

PSBB School suspends teacher: A Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB) school in Chennai, Tamil Nadu suspended a male teacher Monday, following serious allegations of sexual advances and misbehaviour on his part. After current students and alumni of the school stormed social media with accusations between May 23 and 24, the institution took cognisance of the matter and subsequently suspended the teacher, pending enquiry, on Monday.

"Some very serious allegations of misconduct have been alleged against you and the same has come to the knowledge of the management from and through social media. Pending further enquiry into your conduct, without prejudice, you are under suspension with immediate effect," a notification to the teacher, undersigned by the school principal and dean of the school group, read.

Charges against the secondary school teacher in question ranged from appearing in online class semi-naked, sending suggestive texts to girls, commenting on students' physicality and inappropriate touch. Students had earlier alleged inaction on part of the school administration, despite notifying it of the teacher's misconduct. The school denied having any prior knowledge of the same: see previous statement. 

PSBB School Suspends Teacher After Students, Alumni Push For Action Online

G Rajagopalan had been a teacher of Commerce at a prestigious PSBB branch in Chennai, reportedly for several years. In chats revealed on social media over the weekend, amplified prominently by alumna Kripali Samdaria, students accused Rajagopalan of misogyny and sexual behaviour towards underage girls. Full story here.

After said allegations came to mass notice, celebrities like Chinmayi Sripada and Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, as well as DMK leader Kanimozhi partook in online support for the students, urging action in the case.

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As an Alumnus of PSBB KK Nagar, I stand with the victims of sexual harassment.

This is a statement that over 1000 students who were PSBB alumni have signed. This has been sent to the management today.

We demand accountability from the management and immediate action. pic.twitter.com/1olihtCPYv

— chethana (@iamdatemike) May 24, 2021 from over 1000 PSBB alumni also called for immediate suspension of Rajagopalan in light of the accusations and demanded that he be barred from contacting the students as long as an inquiry was underway.

As an Alumnus of PSBB KK Nagar, I stand with the victims of sexual harassment.

This is a statement that over 1000 students who were PSBB alumni have signed. This has been sent to the management today.

We demand accountability from the management and immediate action. pic.twitter.com/1olihtCPYv

— chethana (@iamdatemike) May 24, 2021