Undertrial Prisoner Receives Teaching Appointment in Bihar, Future Uncertain

Gaya/ Patna: A teacher recruitment ceremony in Bihar took an unusual turn on Sunday when an undertrial prisoner, Vipin Kumar, arrived in handcuffs to collect his appointment letter. Kumar, who cleared the state’s teacher recruitment exam while in jail, has been selected as a general subject teacher. However, his future in the profession remains uncertain as he faces trial under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Kumar, currently lodged in Beur Jail, Patna, was escorted to the appointment letter distribution event at Mahabodhi Convention Centre in Bodh Gaya under police custody. Bihar’s Industry Minister and Gaya’s district in-charge minister, Nitish Mishra, along with Divisional Commissioner Prem Singh Meena, District Magistrate Dr. Tyagarajan SM, and other senior officials were present at the ceremony.

A resident of Erki village in Gaya district, Kumar previously worked as a teacher at a coaching institute in Danapur. His arrest followed a complaint filed by a minor girl student one and a half years ago. Since then, he has remained in judicial custody.

Despite receiving the appointment letter, his employment is conditional on the outcome of his trial. Gaya’s District Education Officer stated that he was unaware that an undertrial prisoner had been appointed. Kumar himself acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his position, saying, “The case against me is still in court. Until I am proven innocent, my appointment remains at risk. If the court convicts me, my job will be cancelled.”