Pune, March 4:  Scores of girls belonging to Class XII from Pune have alleged that they were “strip searched” by staffers at the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination centre. Reports state that the incident took place in Loni Kalbhor area before they were allowed to enter the exam hall. As per reports by TOI, the staffers of MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul Higher Secondary School strip-searched the girls while they checked them to prevent from carrying chits to the examination room.

The girls have made an allegation that they were subjected to the strip searches before all three HSC papers that have been held so far. They said they have been traumatised after the incident happened. It must be noted that these girls are among the total 219 students of Prithviraj Kapoor Memorial Junior College who are giving their Class XII board exams.

One of the victims was quoted by TOI saying that all the girls remained quite because they were scared and humiliated. She said the staffers took them to a room and asked to remove their over-coats. “One of the staff members would push her hand inside our shirt and inner wear to check for chits. How can we write the examination after undergoing something as violating as this?” asked a student.

“I was menstruating on the day of our first HSC examination paper on February 21. Two lady staffers asked me to remove my inner wear to check for chits. Despite my protests, I was forced to do so. I feel humiliated,” said a 17-year-old complainant was quoted by TOI. An inquiry has been instituted in the matter as officials of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) also denied such incidents had taken place.

“How is it possible that such an act could have been carried out? Police personnel are deployed at the centre, even exam supervisors are there,” said MSBSHSE Chairperson Shakuntala Kale was quoted by Indian Express.  The report further added that the Chairperson has asked the Pune Divisional Board to carry out inquiries in the matter.

All parents gathered together on the institute’s campus and tried to talk to the management about it. As per reports, the parents of these students have lodged a complaint against MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School at Loni Kalbhor police station which includes two-woman staffers of the centre. They have been booked under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code. Some furious parents said that they would be writing to the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission against the gross violation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 04, 2018 10:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).