Thiruvananthapuram: The headmaster of Fort High School, TS Pradeep Kumar, has been suspended following the participation of vlogger Mukesh M. Nair, an accused in a POCSO case, as the chief guest at a school Praveshanolsavam (school reopening ceremony) event. The action was taken by the school’s management based on government instructions, after a preliminary inquiry found lapses on the part of the headmaster.

Education department holds school responsible

Though the headmaster was not directly involved in the invitation, the inquiry led by the Deputy Director of Education concluded that he could not be absolved of responsibility. The report clearly stated that the claim that the school had not invited Nair could not be accepted.

Sponsor’s role in vlogger’s presence under scrutiny

The school initially claimed that Nair was invited not by them but by JCI, the organisation that sponsored the event. They stated that the group was unaware of the POCSO case pending against the vlogger at the time. The organisation also conveyed an apology to the headmaster, according to school officials.

Background of the POCSO case

Nair is facing a case that was registered in April at the Kovalam police station. He is accused of sexually abusing a minor girl during a reel shoot at a resort in Kovalam. The girl’s parents alleged that Nair inappropriately touched her and forced her to pose semi-nude for video content.

Presence of Nair during school reopening event gained wide public attention, prompting the Deputy Director of Education to visit the school and record the headmaster’s statement. The swift suspension followed as the inquiry revealed administrative failure in vetting the guest list for the children’s event.