Facebook Confession Page Triggers Probe Into Alleged Sexual Misconduct at Morang School, Three Arrested

Kathmandu. Anonymous posts shared on a Facebook confession page have sparked a police investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by teachers and staff at Sukuna Secondary School in Sundarharaicha Municipality-10, Morang, leading to the arrest of three people and the suspension of three others.

The posts surfaced through the 'S/K/N Confession & Meme' Facebook page, which has been publishing anonymous student testimonies under a series titled 'Hidden Voice' since Sunday. The page, which has been active since 2021 and has around 8,200 followers, claimed it received evidence from current and former students alleging sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct by several teachers and school staff.

The first post, published at around 8 a.m. on July 19, alleged that female students in Grades 11 and 12 studying in the Management stream had been subjected to sexual harassment by a teacher. According to the page, the teacher allegedly sent sexually explicit messages, asked students to send intimate photographs in exchange for higher practical marks, and proposed spending the night together.

The page said it had received chat records and screenshots as evidence and appealed to other victims to submit proof while assuring them that their identities would remain confidential.

Following the appeal, the page published additional screenshots, audio recordings, and anonymous testimonies accusing principal Hikmat Basnet; teachers Abiral Maskey, Kishor Lal Gachhadar, Lekhraj Shrestha, Bhim Nepal, Yubaraj Khulal, Mahesh Basnet, and Mahesh Regmi; school bus driver Pradeep Bhattarai; assistant drivers; and others of misconduct.

The allegations include teachers sending sexually explicit messages, requesting intimate photographs, promising students higher marks or help passing examinations in exchange for personal favors, making inappropriate comments about students' bodies, and touching students inappropriately.

One screenshot shared by the page shows a teacher telling a student he would help her pass Grade 12 if she became close to him. Other screenshots show the same teacher referring to a student as "sexy," saying he wanted to see her body, and sending messages such as "I'm hungry."

An audio recording shared on the page features a former student alleging that teacher Abiral Maskey sexually harassed her while she was walking on the road by making inappropriate comments about her body. She said there were other incidents of harassment, but that she was unable to describe them because of the trauma.

Another student alleged that the same teacher repeatedly called her friend "darling" and "baby" while she was in Grade 11 and blocked her path. The same testimony also accused another teacher of touching her hand, rubbing her cheek, and commenting on her appearance.

In another audio recording, a former student alleged that a teacher began touching her inappropriately while she was in Grade 9 and continued the behaviour during her Grade 11 final Account examination. She further claimed the teacher repeatedly called her late at night and later sent sexually explicit messages.

According to the recording, the teacher told her he had her examination answer sheet and would award her the marks she wanted if she sent around 50 photographs and joined him on a video call. The student said she threatened to inform the teacher's wife, but he allegedly replied that he did not care. She added that she could not report the incident earlier because the phone containing the evidence had been lost.

The student also alleged that when she and her friends approached the school to complain, they were advised to slap the teacher if the behaviour was repeated rather than file a formal complaint. According to her, no action was taken by the school.

The page also published screenshots showing a teacher claiming he could help students pass examinations even if they were assigned to different examination centres because he had contacts there. Another message claimed the teacher had access to the school's email account and could obtain examination question papers before the exams began.

Students from other schools who sat examinations at Sukuna Secondary School also alleged that they felt uncomfortable after being touched by the same teacher during examinations.

Separate allegations were also made against the school's music teacher, who was accused of sending messages asking students to visit his room at night. Other students alleged that another teacher repeatedly struck students on various parts of their bodies, making them feel uncomfortable.

The page also shared screenshots allegedly showing teachers repeatedly replying to students' social media stories with comments such as "big fan" and "what a beauty" despite receiving no response.

School bus driver Pradeep Bhattarai was also accused of sending flirtatious messages to students, including calling them names like "pyaari" and "badarni." Similar allegations were made against an assistant driver of School Bus No. 3.

The allegations also questioned the role of principal Hikmat Basnet. Screenshots shared online allegedly show him messaging a student after 10 p.m., asking whether she was asleep.

Students and teachers further alleged that complaints against staff members were ignored by the principal. One teacher claimed that after reporting a colleague's inappropriate conduct through the Head of Department, the principal dismissed the incident by saying it was "like touching a daughter." Another teacher alleged that the principal claimed to have reviewed CCTV footage and found no misconduct despite complaints from students.

As the allegations gained widespread attention online, screenshots also emerged showing Home Minister Sudhan Gurung asking victims to provide evidence and file formal complaints so legal action could be initiated.

Following the allegations, Sukuna Secondary School on Monday suspended accounts officer and teacher Abiral Maskey, music teacher Bhim Prasad Nepal, and bus driver Pradeep Bhattarai. In a statement, the school said the decision was taken during a joint meeting of the School Management Committee and the Teacher-Parents Association and that it had informed the concerned authorities to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, the District Police Office, Morang, arrested Abiral Maskey, Kishor Lal Gachhadar, and Pradeep Bhattarai on Monday morning. Police said the investigation is ongoing and that further action will be taken against anyone found involved.

Police have not verified the allegations published on the Facebook page, and the investigation remains underway.

 

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