Former Instructor Details Months of Caste-Based Torment
A former taekwondo instructor has filed a serious complaint against the principal and staff members of GD Goenka Public School in Gurgaon's Sector 10A, accusing them of sustained caste-based abuse and mental harassment that ultimately forced his resignation.
The 28-year-old instructor, who had been employed at the English medium school for two years, submitted his police complaint earlier this month detailing what he describes as months of psychological torment that drove him to contemplate suicide.
Systematic Harassment and Financial Exploitation
According to the FIR registered at Sector 10A police station, the accused include principal Rani Rai, accountant Ritesh Jain, basketball coach Hari Om, karate coach Adhir Mukharjee, and junior coordinator Aditi Ghosh.
The instructor alleged that this group conspired to push him out of his position, threatening him with termination and preventing him from entering school premises when he attempted to resign voluntarily.
Financial difficulties compounded his ordeal. Despite receiving written assurance that his full dues would be paid, the teacher discovered a deduction of Rs 13,100 from his monthly salary of Rs 33,000. When he returned to the school on October 15 to demand the withheld amount, he claims two staff members again directed casteist slurs at him and forced him to leave.
Public Humiliation During Sports Day
The complaint recounts a particularly humiliating incident during the school's Sports Day in February. Basketball coach Hari Om allegedly tripped him during a teachers' race, causing him to fall in front of the entire school community.
"After I fell, Hari Om started shouting abuses, including caste slurs," the former teacher told investigators. He further alleged that Hari Om mocked his clothing, deliberately linking it to his caste identity.
When he reported this incident to principal Rani Rai and coordinator Aditi Ghosh, he says his concerns were dismissed with the response: "What can we do if you are from that caste?"
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Following his formal complaint, police have registered a case under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 3(5) dealing with common intention against the principal and the other accused teachers.
A police officer involved in the investigation confirmed that "the complaint has now been forwarded to senior officials for further inquiry, as mandated under the Act. We will record the statements of the accused teachers."
Attempts to reach the school authorities and principal Rani Rai for comment remained unanswered through Tuesday evening, leaving the allegations unchallenged by the accused parties.
