POCSO-accused teacher dies after jumping from 3rd floor of cop's office building

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

The accused, identified as Shashidhar from Vijayanagara district, was working at a private school in Channapatna. Police said the incident took place on Sunday when he was at the SP office as part of procedures before being sent to judicial custody.

According to police, Shashidhar was arrested on Saturday evening after a complaint accused him of sexually assaulting several children at the school. A case was registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and he was taken into custody, a senior police officer said.

After a medical examination at a government hospital, he was brought to the SP's office on Sunday for further procedures. Police said he was on the third floor at the Measurement Collection Unit to record his fingerprints.

While being escorted back to the police vehicle, he allegedly pushed away a constable accompanying him, ran towards the railing and jumped from the third floor of the building.

Police said a CCTV camera captured the incident, showing him push the constable, run towards the railing and jump. He suffered grievous injuries and was taken to the district hospital, where he later died.

Further investigation is underway.