Principal arrested for harassing female teachers in Karachi

Four-member panel formed to probe incident; school sealed in Gulshan-e-Hadeed

KARACHI:

In a shocking turn of events, a principal of a school in Gulshan-e-Hadeed has been arrested for allegedly harassing women in his office.

Police have also received lewd videos of the accused, Irfan Ghafoor Memon indulging in sexual acts with women and schoolgirls.

According to Malir SSP Hasan Sardar Niazi, the police had received complaints regarding blackmailing and harassment of women by the school principal. CCTV videos were also provided to police in this regard.

Subsequently police arrested Memon and initiated legal action, the SSP mentioned, adding, the police will record statements of Ali and Shakeel, two electricians who installed CCTV cameras. Around 25 videos of principal's room have been found and are being examined, he said, adding that the affected females are also being contacted for their statements.

School sealed, probe started

Interim Education Minister Rana Hussain took immediate action and ordered an investigation following the emergence of a scandal reminiscent of the Bahawalpur University incident.

The school in question has been closed down as per the directive of Hussain, pending a thorough investigation.

In response to the provincial minister's instructions, the Directorate of Private Institutions has written to the Deputy Commissioner of Malir, requesting the sealing of the unregistered private school's premises.

Additional Director Registration Rafia Mallah has formed a four-member committee led by Deputy Director Qurban Bhutto to investigate the matter. The committee included members Mumtaz Qambrani, Zaid Magsi, and Javed Qazi. The inquiry team will visit the school on Tuesday to gather details.

Mallah has clarified that the school is unregistered, and appropriate action will be taken against the administration. Further departmental action will be determined based on the committee's recommendations.

Addressing the media at the office, SSP Malir Hasan Sardar Niazi said, "Regarding the videos of the principal, Irfan Ghafoor Memon, behaving inappropriately at the school, it is reported that he was running an institution called IGM Education System where female students from primary to matric were enrolled. The arrested individual allegedly engaged in indecent activities, particularly with female teaching staff, recorded on closed-circuit cameras.”

Read also: KU teacher suspended on sexual harassment charges

He continued, "If such appalling activities occur in an educational institution, the consequences will be severe. Immediate police action was taken upon receiving this information, resulting in the arrest of Memon."

The SSP Malir announced the formation of a committee comprising DSP, SHO, and Lady Inspector Kulsoom Abbasi, responsible for the Complaint Cell, to reach out to the affected women. A female police officer is part of the committee to provide support and assurance to the affected women, including legal assistance.

Regarding the investigation, the SSP Malir disclosed that approximately 20 to 25 videos have been discovered involving four to five affected women. Different videos have emerged, and various aspects are being examined meticulously due to the sensitivity of the case.

Memon, on the other hand, has denied the allegations of blackmail. He admitted to having friendships with some women but claimed that he never forced anyone. He clarified that these relationships involved adult women and not schoolgirls.

He also mentioned Ali Lodhi to the police, alleging that his partner Shakeel was blackmailing him, demanding Rs1 million. Shakeel purportedly showed him the videos and claimed connections with law enforcement. The suspect expressed remorse for his actions and revealed that he is married.