Hyderabad, May 20: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Thursday took suo motu notice of the alleged sexual harassment of a 13-year-old boy by his seniors at Sri Venkateswara Veda Patashala and directed the district collector, superintendent of police and executive officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD) to look into the issue and submit a comprehensive report by June 27.
The commission also warned the management of the Veda Patashala and its teachers to take steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the pilgrim town.
SHRC acting chairman Kakamanu Peda Peri Reddy slapped notices on the officials based on reports published in the media.
Finding fault with the management of the Veda Patashala, which is run by the TTD, the SHRC said it had failed in its primary objective of imparting moral education to the students.
“It was shocking to note that seniors abused a junior sexually at the Veda Patashala and that it took place at a pilgrim centre like Tirumala,’’ it observed.
“It is not just a matter of human rights of boys.. the issue has adversely affected the image of the entire community of Vedic pundits who are supposed to have impeccable character,” Peda Peri Reddy remarked.
–Agencies