Police on Tuesday took two teachers of St Lawrence College in Chabahil, Kathmandu, into custody following charges by students that they sexually abused female students.

The students had organised protests accusing Janardan Adhikari, a social studies teacher who is also the coordinator of the college, of sexually abusing female students. Later, another complaint was filed against yet another teacher Rajan Kumar Poudel for harassing students sexually.

In a video clip which was recorded during the protest, a female student explained to the media how Adhikari had harassed her. “Adhikari had told me that he was not happy with his wife, so he asked me if I could be his sex partner,” the student said. “If I didn’t respond to him, then he used to threaten me that he would kick me out of the college.”

At least three students have filed complaints against those teachers, according to Deputy superintendent Keshav Bhattarai, in charge of Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala. “We have also got permission from the district court to keep the accused in custody for five days to investigate the matter,” Bhattarai told the Post.

Students said that they were forced to take to the streets after the college management didn’t take action against Adhikari even after being repeatedly informed about his abusive behaviour.

The students demonstrated on the college premises in the morning and later, held a demonstration in front of the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala.

“We are investigating the matter under child sexual abuse case as the complainants were minors,” said Bhattarai.

The accused have been taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala.

“Police are in touch with the college administration and students,” said superintendent Santosh Singh Rathour, also the spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police Office, Kathmandu. “We are investigating the issue.”