A 52-year-old government school headmaster, Thomas Manoharan, has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old Class 6 student at a government school near Tiruporur in Chengalpattu district on 19 September 2026. He was subsequently remanded in judicial custody and placed under suspension by the School Education Department, as reported in The New Indian Express.
The arrested man is a resident of Thandal near Tiruporur. According to police, he was serving as the headmaster of a government primary school at Sembakkam village on the Tiruporur–Chengalpet Road.
According to the Mamallapuram All Women Police, the girl was studying Class 6 at a government higher secondary school located on the same campus. She had previously studied at the primary school headed by Manoharan.
Police said that students who move from the primary school to the higher secondary section sometimes return to their former school to assist with cleaning activities and help younger students.
On 19 September 2026, the girl had gone to the primary school as part of such activities. According to police, she was assigned to check the answer sheets of students from Classes 1 to 5.
Police alleged that while she was engaged in the activity, Manoharan took her to the headmaster’s room and sexually assaulted her.
The girl subsequently returned home and informed her parents about the alleged incident.
Her parents then contacted the Singappen Special Force (SSF) helpline, following which personnel from the Tiruporur unit visited the school and conducted an inquiry, according to the reports.
Based on the complaint and the subsequent inquiry, the Mamallapuram All Women Police registered a case under the POCSO Act and arrested Manoharan.
He was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
Following his arrest, the School Education Department received a report regarding the case. A department source told The New Indian Express that Manoharan was subsequently placed under suspension.
The case is being investigated by the Mamallapuram All Women Police.
GOVT SCHOOL HEADMASTER ARRESTED UNDER THE POCSO ACT, PLACED UNDER SUSPENSION
A 52-year-old govt school principal was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old Class 6 student at a govt school near Tiruporur… pic.twitter.com/ERD8FLnewV
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) September 26, 2026
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