POCSO case accused dies after jumping from third floor of Bengaluru South SP office

A 49-year-old physical education teacher accused of sexually assaulting children died after allegedly jumping from the third floor of the Bengaluru South district Superintendent of Police's office complex in Ramanagara, police said on Monday.

The deceased was identified as Shashidhar, a native of Vijayanagara district. He was working as a physical education teacher at a private school in Channapatna taluk, police said.

The incident took place on Sunday at the Bengaluru South district SP office complex in Ramanagara. CCTV footage reportedly captured the incident, showing Shashidhar pushing a constable before running towards the railing and jumping from the third floor.

Police said Shashidhar had been arrested on Saturday evening following a complaint alleging that he had sexually assaulted several children at the school. A case was registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

After his arrest, Shashidhar underwent a medical examination at a government hospital. He was taken to the SP office on Sunday as part of the procedures to be completed before he was sent to judicial custody, a senior police officer said.

According to police, Shashidhar was on the third floor at the Measurement Collection Unit, where his fingerprints were being recorded. While he was being escorted back to the police vehicle, he allegedly pushed away a constable accompanying him and jumped from the building.

He suffered serious injuries in the fall and was taken to the district hospital, where he later died, police said.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.  (with inputs from PTI)