Police in Diamond Harbour have arrested a drawing teacher after the families of two minor girls filed a complaint alleging that the children were sexually abused during classes at his home in South 24 Parganas, according to a report by Sanmarg – Kolkata.
The accused, identified by police as Prabir Haldar, was reportedly taken into custody after residents gathered outside his house following the allegations. The report said the families submitted a written complaint, after which police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to information attributed to the victims’ families, the two girls attended drawing classes at Haldar’s residence every Sunday. The families alleged that the abuse had continued for some time but that the children did not disclose it earlier because they were afraid. The allegations have not been tested in court.
The incident took place within the Diamond Harbour municipal area. Sanmarg – Kolkata reported that local residents surrounded the accused’s house after the matter came to light, prompting police to reach the location and take Haldar to the police station. The report did not provide details of the specific sections registered under the POCSO Act, the children’s ages or the next scheduled court proceeding.
The case highlights the safeguarding challenge posed by informal classes conducted inside private residences, where access may be arranged through families but oversight can be limited. In this instance, the children reportedly attended a recurring Sunday class at the teacher’s home. The police case will determine the facts and the legal responsibility arising from the complaint.
The report also identified Haldar as a person known locally as a Bharatiya Janata Party leader and said the arrest had triggered political statements in the area. That political reaction is separate from the criminal investigation, which will proceed on the basis of the families’ complaint, the police case and the evidence collected by investigators.
Police action in the case follows the written complaint by the families. Further details, including the investigation’s progress and the accused’s court status, were not available in the supplied report.
