The Tamil Nadu police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act against four staff members and a former student of the Isha Home School in Coimbatore. The case stems from a complaint filed by the mother of a child who alleges that her son was molested by a fellow student between 2017 and 2019, while enrolled at the school.
According to the FIR, the mother claimed that her child, a minor at the time, was subjected to repeated molestation, including being groped, humped from behind, and threatened to disrobe. The complaint states that the child initially kept the abuse secret but eventually informed the school’s designated "house parents," Nishant Kumar and Preeti Kumar, along with the principal, Prakash Somayaji, and general coordinator Swami Vibhu. Despite these reports, the mother alleges that the school did not take appropriate action. She further claims that after the incident, her child began to show signs of distress, including withdrawal and suicidal tendencies, and that the school attempted to discourage her from going to the police.
The Isha Foundation has strongly denied the allegations, calling them "false, malicious, and defamatory." They pointed out that the family continued their association with the school for several years after the alleged incidents, with the complainant’s elder child remaining enrolled and even applying for admission for a younger child. The foundation also emphasized that the matter had been investigated when the allegations first arose in 2019, and it was resolved at that time.
The FIR, filed in December 2024, was registered on January 31, 2025, under Sections 9(1), 10, and 21(2) of the Pocso Act, as well as Section 342 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with wrongful confinement. In addition to the alleged victim’s fellow student, four school staff members are named in the FIR.
The case has sparked widespread attention, raising questions about institutional response to allegations of abuse, the handling of minors' safety in schools, and the transparency of the investigation process. The complainant also described delays in receiving a copy of the FIR and alleged intimidation by police officers during the investigation.
In its defense, the Isha Foundation contended that the complainant was removed from her volunteer role at the school in 2024 due to complaints about her behavior. The foundation suggested that the allegations now being made were an attempt to tarnish its reputation following the termination of her association with the school.
This ongoing case has drawn attention to the broader issues of child protection in institutions, the duty of care required by school authorities, and the importance of timely, sensitive responses to allegations of abuse. Legal and investigative proceedings will play a crucial role in determining the truth and ensuring justice for the alleged victim.
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