Bengaluru: POCSO case accused found dead

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The Ramanagara Women’s Police Station registered a POCSO case three days ago and arrested the accused. | Image for representation | Photo Credit: rudall30

A 49-year-old physical education teacher, who was arrested in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case, died after allegedly jumping from the third floor of the Bengaluru South district Superintendent of Police’s office complex in Ramanagara on Sunday (September 20).

The deceased has been identified as S. Shashidhar, a native of Chapparadahalli in Kottur taluk of Vijayanagara district. He was working at a private school under the jurisdiction of the Akkur police station in Channapatna taluk.

According to the police, Shashidhar was accused of sexually assaulting children at the school. The Ramanagara Women’s Police Station registered a POCSO case three days ago and arrested him.

After being taken into custody, Shashidhar was questioned by the police. On Sunday morning, he underwent a medical examination before being brought to the SP’s office for completion of formalities ahead of his remand in judicial custody.

The police said his fingerprints were recorded on the third floor of the office. While he was being escorted back to the police vehicle, Shashidhar allegedly pushed aside a constable accompanying him and suddenly jumped from the third floor.

He sustained serious injuries in the fall and was rushed to a nearby district hospital. However, he died after reportedly failing to respond to treatment, a police officer said.

(If you are in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to these helplines: TeleMANAS at 1-8008914416/ 14416, NIMHANS at 08026685948, 9480829670 or SAHAI at 080 25497777, +91-9886444075)

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