A serious case of alleged sexual abuse by Islamist Zakir Basha Shaik involving nearly 30 minor girl students at a government school in Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district has triggered a formal complaint seeking urgent intervention from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The complaint alleges violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, institutional negligence, and political interference in the investigation.
As per the Organiser reports, the Legal Rights Protection Forum submitted the complaint to NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo, urging immediate action to ensure protection of the victims and accountability of officials who allegedly failed to act.
Serious allegations against government school teacher
According to the complaint, the accused, identified as Islamist Zakir Basha Shaik, a biology teacher at Zilla Parishad High School in Tarigonda village, Gurramkonda Mandal, is accused of sexually harassing nearly 30 minor girl students.
Video testimonies of the alleged victims have reportedly been submitted as evidence. In these testimonies, the students described inappropriate physical contact and sexual abuse, stating that they were traumatized and pleading for strict action against the accused, Zakir Basha Shaik.
The complaint describes the case as a grave violation of child safety and human rights, demanding urgent intervention to prevent further harm and ensure justice.
Parents allegedly intimidated, FIR filed, Zakir Basha Shaik absconding
The complaint states that parents of the victims initially approached the school headmaster to report the abuse. However, they were allegedly pressured and intimidated by local political figures to prevent them from filing formal police complaints.
An FIR has reportedly been registered by the Gurramkonda Police Station. However, the accused teacher, Islamist Zakir Basha Shaik, is said to be absconding, raising concerns about the pace and seriousness of the investigation.
The situation has created what the complaint describes as an atmosphere of fear, discouraging families from freely cooperating with authorities.
Allegations of institutional negligence under POCSO Act
The complaint alleges violations of Sections 19 and 21 of the POCSO Act, which mandate immediate reporting of child sexual abuse. It states that the school headmaster failed to promptly inform the police and instead handled the matter internally, while the District Educational Officer (DEO), despite being aware of the allegations, allegedly did not notify the District Collector or the police. These omissions are described as a serious dereliction of duty that may attract criminal liability under the POCSO Act for failure to report sexual offenses against minors.
The complaint further alleges that certain political actors attempted to shield the accused and discouraged victim families from pursuing legal action. Such interference, the complainant argues, undermines the rule of law and weakens child protection mechanisms.
The Legal Rights Protection Forum has urged the National Human Rights Commission to take immediate suo motu cognizance of the case and intervene to protect the minor victims and their families, who are reportedly living under fear and intimidation. The organization has called for close monitoring of the investigation to ensure the swift arrest of the accused, Islamist Zakir Basha Shaik, and timely filing of the charge sheet, while also demanding strict action against school authorities and government officials who allegedly failed in their legal duty to report the offenses under the POCSO Act.
The complaint further seeks a comprehensive probe into allegations of political interference and obstruction of justice, along with directions for compensation, psychological counseling, and long-term rehabilitation of the victims. Stressing the urgency of the situation, the forum has urged the Commission to recommend systemic reforms in the education and child protection framework to prevent such incidents from recurring and to restore public confidence in the justice system’s ability to safeguard children.
The consistent intervention and vigilance of LRPF in cases involving educational institutions highlight the importance of accountability and child safety. By actively responding to sexual harassment and other unlawful activities and urging strict action from authorities, LRPF continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that justice is pursued and protective systems are strengthened.
