Four held in school abuse case

SARGODHA:

A science teacher and two other suspects have been arrested over allegations of sexually abusing students and recording inappropriate videos at a government school in Sargodha district, while the teacher and the school's headmaster have been suspended.

According to police, the incident came to light at Government High School in Chak 107 South, on the outskirts of Sargodha, after the grandfather of an alleged victim lodged a complaint.

The FIR alleges that science teacher Safdar Abbas called a student to his private guest room during a break at school.

Two other students were allegedly present at the location and sexually assaulted the boy, while the teacher recorded the incident on video, police said.

Police said allegations had also emerged that the teacher had sexually abused several other students and recorded inappropriate videos to blackmail them. These allegations are being investigated.

Following the complaint, Ata Shaheed police registered a case and arrested the science teacher and two other suspects. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the incident and looking into whether there may be other victims.

Separately, the chief executive officer of the district education authority took notice of the allegations and suspended Safdar Abbas.

The school's headmaster was also suspended over alleged negligence and failure to fulfil his administrative responsibilities.