Belagavi: City police on Thursday arrested the headmaster of a school in Belagundi village, who was accused of misbehaving with a girl student, days after the incident snowballed into a major political controversy.The incident occurred on Dec 12. Following reports of the alleged misconduct, tension gripped the village, and the accused was reportedly assaulted by villagers when he entered the school premises.As the family of the minor girl was initially reluctant to lodge a complaint, police registered a suo motu case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. However, despite invoking the stringent law, the accused was earlier released on station bail, triggering sharp political reactions.Former MLA Sanjay Patil accused the local MLA and women and child welfare minister of exerting pressure on the police to shield the headmaster, alleging that the headmaster was a supporter of the minister. Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil also questioned the police for releasing the accused on station bail despite the provisions under Pocso Act.Confirming the arrest, DCP (law and order) Narayan Baramani told TOI that the accused was taken into custody on Thursday, produced before a court, and subsequently remanded to judicial custody at Hindalaga jail.According to the officer, the arrest was made after investigators gathered substantial evidence, particularly from the accused’s mobile phone. The case sparked public outrage and led to a flurry of political allegations before police could take action.
