The National Human Rights Commission of India has issued a show cause notice to the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh in a case involving the alleged sexual abuse of nearly 30 minor girl students by a government school teacher Zakir Basha Shaik in Annamayya district, flagging serious lapses in reporting, institutional accountability, and victim protection, after it was flagged by NGO watchdog, Legal Rights Protection Forum.
The Commission, after examining reports from the School Education Department and district police, recorded that FIR No. 12/2026 had been registered at Gurramkonda Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. Eleven minor girls have so far been identified as victims, and their statements corroborating the allegations have been recorded by women police personnel. The accused, government schoolteacher Zakir Basha Shaik, was arrested, produced before a court, and released on bond. He has been placed under suspension, and departmental proceedings have been initiated under Rule 20 of the APCS (CCA) Rules, 1991.
The Commission, however, recorded deep concern that while the FIR was registered on 6 February 2026, the alleged abuse had been ongoing for a considerable period prior to that. It noted that the delay, attributed to fear among victims and their families, raises serious questions about the school’s internal safeguards and the institutional environment that allowed the abuse to continue unreported.
It further questioned the role of school authorities and the District Educational Officer, observing that the mandatory reporting obligation under Section 19 of the POCSO Act appears to have been ignored. The district police had concluded that dereliction of duty was not substantiated due to the absence of earlier complaints from victims and parents. The Commission rejected this reasoning, stating that the statutory obligation to report does not depend on victim complaints.
The Commission also highlighted that despite allegations involving nearly 30 victims, only 11 have been identified so far. It directed authorities to identify the remaining victims and record their statements in a child-sensitive manner. Concerns were also raised about the accused being released on bond, with the Commission stressing the need for continuous protection of victims from intimidation by the accused or his associates.
Describing the case as a grave violation of the fundamental rights of minor girls, including their rights to dignity, education, and protection from exploitation, the Commission stated that the victims are entitled to immediate medical, psychological, and financial support. It emphasised that compensation under the state’s victim compensation scheme cannot be deferred pending the outcome of criminal or departmental proceedings.
Invoking its powers under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Commission has directed issuance of a show cause notice to the Chief Secretary, asking why monetary compensation should not be awarded to each identified victim, as well as others who may be identified during the course of the investigation. The state government has been given four weeks to respond.
The Chief Secretary has also been asked to clarify whether action has been taken against school authorities for failure to comply with mandatory reporting obligations, detail the medical and psychological support extended to victims, outline steps taken to identify additional victims, and specify safeguards proposed across government schools, including staff sensitisation, installation of CCTV cameras, and child protection mechanisms.
Separately, the Superintendent of Police, Annamayya, has been directed to submit an updated action taken report covering the status of the investigation, number of victims identified, forensic evidence collected, bail conditions imposed on the accused, and measures taken to prevent intimidation, including alleged instances involving political influence. The police have also been asked to provide a timeline for filing the chargesheet before the Special Court under the POCSO Act.
The Secretary of the School Education Department has been instructed to report on the progress of the departmental inquiry against the accused teacher, including whether charges have been framed, and whether action has been initiated against other school officials for failure to report the offence. The department must also detail measures taken to ensure continuation of education for the victims and the provision of counselling and psychological support.
The Commission has stated that if no response is received within the stipulated period, it will proceed to recommend compensation based on the material on record. The matter has been adjourned pending further reports
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