MARGAO: The case involving the molestation of a minor schoolgirl by a physical education teacher at a government school in Fatorpa has taken a distressing turn. The victim is now refusing to return to school, citing her fear that the accused teacher may come back, prompting fresh demands from parents and locals for the teacher’s immediate termination.

Close associates of the victim’s family revealed that the minor girl is in a state of trauma and is reluctant to attend classes out of fear that the alleged perpetrator may be reinstated in the school. The incident had sent shockwaves through the community when it was revealed that the PE teacher, 45-year-old Ramesh Gaonkar was sexually grooming eight female students at the government school. grabbed the hand of a minor student, thereby outraging her modesty. He also allegedly ogled at a minor girl during a skipping rope activity at the school. Furthermore, Gaonkar is accused of sharing pornographic videos with the minor student using his personal mobile phone, violating her privacy. The teacher was subsequently suspended and arrested. The statements of several other students and female teachers at the school have been recorded as part of the police investigation. The police are also extracting evidence from the phones of the accused and the victim.

However, there are growing concerns in the village that the accused may secure bail and return to the school.

Jennifer Fernandes, a panch member, told reporters that the victim is dealing with severe trauma. She said, “We have been informed by the victim’s family that, after hearing news that the PE teacher may secure bail and return to school, the girl is expressing reluctance to attend classes after Ganesh Chaturthi.”

Fernandes emphasised that the demand from parents and villagers is not just suspension but the termination of the accused teacher’s employment. Plans for a protest march are being made if their demands are not met.

Auda Viegas, President of NGO ‘Bailancho Ekvott’, also stressed that considering the victim’s condition, it is necessary that she receives justice. She pointed out that based on past records, the accused should be terminated.

Bail hearing of accused teacher on September 27

MARGAO: The arguments on the bail application moved by the accused Ramesh Gaonkar were heard by the President of the Goa Children’s Court on Thursday, and the matter is posted for order on September 27.

Gaonkar remains in custody and has been booked under several sections of the IPC, including Section 354(A) (molestation), Section 509 IPC, Section 8 of the Goa Children’s Act, Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, and Section 67 and 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.