A man attached to a government school as a principal in Rajasthan’s Alwar district was suspended recently after a video of him bathing with girl students at a dam emerged, which sparked outrage among local residents and prompted a police probe, coupled with a departmental inquiry.

The education department officials said serious allegations had been levelled against the principal, who is accused of bathing with female students from Classes 9 to 12 during a school outing.

3-member panel to probe allegations

Alwar’s district education officer Manoj Sharma said a three-member committee had been constituted to conduct a fair probe into the allegations. The suspension comes as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and the authenticity, as well as the context of the video circulating on social media.

As per preliminary information, the incident unfolded on August 15 this year, following Independence Day celebrations at the school. The principal had reportedly taken around 200 students on a picnic to a dam near Bhadaz, located at a distance of two kilometres from the school. The route to the spot passes through a forested area.

Villagers raise questions over school trip

The school whose principal has been suspended

Residents of the area alleged that no female teachers accompanied the students during the outing. Moreover, the video making rounds on social media shows the principal bathing in the dam alongside girl students. The villagers further alleged that the principal lifted some of the girls in his arms on the pretext of teaching them how to swim.

However, the allegations have not been established yet, and remain central to an official probe.

Location of dam raises safety concerns

Villagers added that the dam embankment is only around 5-6 feet wide, leaving almost no room for the children to move safely. They further claimed that incidents involving children drowning at the dam had occurred earlier, raising questions about whether adequate precautions were taken during the school outing.

Officials are examining the allegations, while a separate police probe has also been launched into the case. The education department’s inquiry is likely to establish the circumstances surrounding the outing, the principal’s conduct and whether any rules or safety protocols were violated.

Authorities have called for an in-depth and an impartial probe as the video and the allegations continue to draw the attention of the public.