A 49-year-old physical education teacher, accused in a Pocso case, died by suicide at the Bengaluru South district superintendent of police (SP) office on Sunday. The incident occurred after he was taken to the SP office for fingerprinting following his arrest. According to the Times of India, the deceased, identified as Shashidhar, was brought to the Measurement Collection Unit (MCU) in the SP office complex after a medical examination. He was being escorted downstairs when he jumped from the third floor around 12 pm. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

The police have confirmed that a Pocso case was registered against Shashidhar following allegations of sexual abuse of five minor girls at the school where he worked. An FIR was registered at Ramanagara women’s police station on Saturday, and he was arrested the same evening. The police stated that a CCTV video captured the incident, showing him pushing a constable, running toward the railing, and jumping from the third floor. The police said he sustained grievous injuries and was taken to the district hospital, where he later died.

Shashidhar’s family members have alleged that the charges against him were baseless and that he was subjected to severe mental pressure by both the police and the school management. They claim this pressure led to his decision to take his own life.

The police have stated that the case was registered based on a complaint accusing Shashidhar of sexually assaulting several children at the school. A senior police officer told PTI that the case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was taken to the SP office for fingerprinting and was being prepared for judicial custody when the incident occurred. The police have not commented on the family’s allegations of mental pressure or the validity of the charges.

The incident has raised questions about the handling of Pocso cases and the mental health of accused individuals. While the police have confirmed the details of the arrest and the incident, they have not addressed the family’s claims of baseless allegations or the role of the school management. The family’s allegations remain unverified, and no official response has been provided by the authorities.

Further investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and to assess the validity of the allegations against Shashidhar. The police have not disclosed any details about the nature of the allegations or the evidence supporting them. The family’s claims of mental pressure and baseless charges remain unaddressed, and no official statement has been issued by the school or the police department.

The incident highlights the need for a balanced approach in handling cases involving minors and the importance of mental health support for individuals facing legal proceedings. While the police have confirmed the details of the case and the incident, they have not provided any further information on the allegations or the circumstances leading to the accused’s death.