The Kacharapalayam police on Friday arrested a 46-year-old teacher in a government school on charges of sexually harassing a Class X girl student and abetting her suicide. The accused has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Police said the victim studying Class X in a government school attempted to end her life on September 7 and was rushed to Salem Government Medical College and Hospital where she died on Friday. The girl’s family lodged a complaint with the police, naming Jagadeesan, a science teacher at the school, where their daughter studied for being responsible for her death.

The accused who had recently joined the school on transfer from another school had sexually harassed the girl. After investigation, on finding the allegation to be true the police booked Jagadeesan under the POCSO Act. He was arrested and produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044 - 24640050).