A 40-year-old schoolteacher in Mumbai has been arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated sexual assault, after allegedly drugging and coercing a 16-year-old male student into a prolonged sexual relationship over the past year.
The woman, employed as an English teacher at a reputed private school in the city, reportedly began harassing the student in 2023 during rehearsals for a school dance performance. According to the Mumbai Police, she has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators said the accused, a married woman with children, initially pursued the student under the guise of academic and extracurricular mentorship. When the boy tried to distance himself, the teacher allegedly sought help from a female acquaintance to manipulate him emotionally.
"The accused’s friend, who is not affiliated with the school, told the student that relationships between older women and teenage boys are common. She convinced him that he and the teacher were ‘made for each other’," said a police officer involved in the probe.
Following this, the teacher reportedly picked up the boy in a car and drove him to a secluded location. "She forcefully undressed and sexually assaulted him. Later, when the boy began experiencing anxiety, she gave him anti-anxiety medication to calm him down," the officer added.
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The vehicle used in the assault has been seized for forensic investigation. Police further alleged that the teacher would serve alcohol to the student before taking him to luxury hotels in South Mumbai and near the airport, where more incidents of sexual assault occurred.
The situation came to light after the boy’s family observed drastic changes in his behaviour. Initially reluctant to report the crime, the family kept the matter under wraps, hoping the abuse would end after he graduated from school.
However, the accused allegedly contacted the boy again through a domestic worker even after he had cleared his Class 12 examinations. At that point, the family approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.
"She contacted him via a domestic staff member and asked to meet again. That’s when the family decided enough was enough," said a second police official.
Both the teacher and her friend have now been arrested. The accused faces charges under Sections 4, 6, and 17 of the POCSO Act, in addition to applicable provisions of the IPC and Juvenile Justice Act. The school has not issued a statement at the time of publication.
In cases of sexual assault or abuse, individuals are encouraged to immediately contact the police by dialling the national emergency number 112. Dedicated helplines include 1091 for women’s safety and 1098 for child protection, both operational 24x7. The Ministry of Women and Child Development also operates a 24-hour helpline at 181 to assist women in distress with counselling, legal aid, and shelter referrals. Authorities urge anyone with knowledge of abuse to report it without delay.
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