The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Child molestation may be made a non-bailable offence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Child molestation may be made a non-bailable offence

Staff Reporter

Basavaraj Horatti

BANGALORE: The Government will examine the possibility of amending the law to make child molestation a non-bailable offence, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education and Law B.S. Horatti said in the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

Responding to members who spoke about the incident in which a teacher allegedly molested a girl in Mandya district, Mr. Horatti said the teacher has been placed under suspension. Women members protested against his announcement that the teacher will be transferred to a boys' school. Umashree (Congress) said it is not enough to transfer such teachers or suspend them, and they should be dismissed from service.

Shobha Karandlaje and Vimala Gowda (Bharatiya Janata Party) argued that such teachers should be dismissed and their certificates withdrawn.

Jalaja Naik and Mallajamma (Congress) spoke of the trauma of molested children and the mental agony of their families.

Deterrent

Mr. Horatti said the punishment for the offence should serve as a deterrent. The law will be amended to ensure that teachers charged with the crime do not get bail, he added.

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