Two incidents of cognisable offence were reported in two different schools in Viraganoor under Madurai District Police station limits in the last few days.In the first incident, a teenaged boy was seen repeatedly assaulting a junior boy and kicking him with a jump in the presence of a few teachers. The incident happened at a government school. The teachers were apparently helpless but could only try to pacify the boy and could not prevent the assault.The incident came to public notice only after a video clipping of the assault was posted in the social media a few days after the incident took place.In the second incident, a few days back a sexual offence case was brought to knowledge of Madurai Collector, which had taken place in 2025 in a private school, also in Viraganoor.The complaint is that a 36-year-old male teacher was reportedly stalking a girl student. Despite some of the fellow students having taken it up with the school principal, the incident was not reported to the police.An attempt by government officials to enquire into the incident did not produce the desired result and consequently Oomachikulam police registered a case under POCSO Act and arrested the teacher.The principal was also booked for failing to report the case to the police.“The duty of the head of the institution is to report to the police about any congisable offence happening on the school or college premises. With respect to offences under POCSO Act, the act itself mandates that anyone who has knowledge about such an offence should report the case to the police,” Superintendent of Police, N. Devanathan, said.Section 21 of the Act stipulates punishment for failure to report the commission of an offence.The punishment could be imprisonment or fine or both.The SP said that Madurai Collector, Nishant Krishna, called for officials of Department of Education in which Commissioner of Police, S. Rajenthiran and Mr. Devanathan, discussed these incidents. The district administration has instructed heads of schools and colleges to promptly report to the police about any such cognisable offences occurring on their premises.A police officer said that prompt reporting of such offences would help the police initiate immediate action and also prevent further escalation in such incidents. Published - August 21, 2026 10:15 pm IST