Suspended school principal alleges forced confession

PANJIM, FEB 2
Suspended principal of Panjim-based Anjuman Nurul Islam High School Abdul Aziz Mulla has alleged of being pressurized to sign on a confession letter that the alleged assault on a 14-year-old student was unintentional.
Mulla said that the managing committee and the Chairman asked him to sign on the letter assuring him that the matter would not be pursued further.
“I was told by the managing committee and particularly by Chairman and Manager that for the sake of the school and to avoid any damage to its reputation and good will, I would have to give such a statement and that matter would be closed at that stage itself and no one would pursue it further,” the letter to the School Chairman reads.
“In these circumstances and without any choice being given to me I was coerced to write what was dictated to me by the manager Iftikar Aga,” it added.
Mulla was suspended by the school management on Monday in connection with a case of corporal punishment against him that took place more than a month ago as a student had alleged that the principal had slapped him.
The student’s parents complained to the school authorities, Directorate of Education and also reported the incident to the police. The management accordingly initiated an inquiry and found him guilty.
Mulla, who claims to have been serving in the institution for 21 years, is taking legal assistance to approach Court against the school management. He said the incident was a ruse to victimize him and that the management has betrayed him.