Principal held for 'sexually assaulting' student

A school principal has been taken into custody by the Hyderabad police following allegations that he had sexually assaulted a teenaged student several times after threatening her.

Following a complaint by the victim's parents on Wednesday, a case was registered against the principal of a private international school at Manneguda in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district, the police said on Thursday.

The complaint alleged that the victim, a 17-year-old student of XI standard in the school, was sexually assaulted over 20 times since March by the principal, who is also one of the directors of the institution.

The girl was also threatened with dire consequences if she revealed about the matter to anyone, the complaint stated.

The victim, a native of Mumbai, informed her parents about the incident, who then approached the police.

"The principal (correspondent) has been questioned following the allegations. We are investigating into the matter and after collecting enough evidence, we will arrest him," Detective Department DCP J Satyanarayana said.

Central crime station -- a wing of the Hyderabad Police -- has booked the principal under Sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code.

The girl has been sent for medical examination.

Meanwhile, Ranga Reddy district is also assisting the CCS in its probe even as unconfirmed reports said that the principal has allegedly sexually assaulted some more girl students of the school.