Gaya: POCSO Accused Receives Teacher Appointment Letter While in Handcuffs
Gaya: In a rare and controversial incident, Vipin Kumar, an accused under the POCSO Act, arrived at an appointment letter distribution ceremony in Bodhgaya wearing handcuffs and received his provisional appointment letter for a teaching post. The event was held at the Mahabodhi Cultural Center on Sunday, with Kumar attending under police custody.
Vipin Kumar, who has been lodged in Patna’s Beur Jail for the past 18 months, cleared the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam and has been appointed as a general subject teacher for classes 1 to 5.
Appointment in Presence of Senior Officials
Vipin received his appointment letter in the presence of several senior officials, including:
- Bihar’s Industry Minister and District In-charge Minister Nitish Mishra
- Divisional Commissioner Prem Singh Meena
- Gaya District Magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan SM
The Case Against Vipin Kumar
Vipin Kumar, a resident of Erki village in Mohanpur police station area of Gaya, was previously working as a teacher in a coaching institute in Danapur, Patna. Around one and a half years ago, a minor girl student from the same coaching center lodged a case under the POCSO Act against him at Danapur police station, accusing him of misconduct.
Given the seriousness of the charges, the police immediately arrested him, and he has been in judicial custody at Beur Jail since then.
Future of His Job Hinges on Court Verdict
Despite being behind bars, Vipin Kumar continued his studies and appeared for the BPSC examination, ultimately clearing it to secure a teaching post. Speaking at the event, he stated:
“The case against me is still pending in court. Until I am declared innocent, my appointment remains uncertain. If found guilty, my job will be canceled. However, the allegations against me are completely baseless.”
He further expressed his desire to educate fellow inmates in jail, aiming to spread the light of education among prisoners.
Controversy Over Appointment
The incident has raised concerns over the eligibility of individuals facing serious charges for government jobs. While legal provisions allow under-trial individuals to apply for jobs, the final decision will depend on the court’s verdict.
