Suspend Govt School Staff in Four Days of Pocso Complaint: TN SOP

THE Tamil Nadu School Education Department in a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has mandated that headmasters, teachers, or any government school staff accused of sexual harassment or assault against students must be suspended within four days of a complaint being reported, based on a preliminary inquiry by the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO).

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This will take place in parallel to the police probe under the Pocso Act.

The SOP outlines strict timelines for each stage of the disciplinary process and requires the action to be completed within approximately three months. It says that action will be initiated against the disciplinary authorities if there is any deviation in adherence to the timeline. Action against government staff will be taken as per the state's service rules. The SOP does not cover staff of private schools. This follows School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi's assurance that those involved in sexual violence against students will face not only criminal prosecution but also departmental action.