Rohan's statement was five minutes — clear, direct, the account of a thirteen-year-old who had decided three weeks ago to tell this story and had been waiting since. He described the classroom confrontation accurately and then, unprompted, said: "I want to add that the school's administrative officer, Mr. Iyer, came to our classroom after Ms. Rao left and told us, in front of the whole class, that we should not discuss anything that had happened at school with outside parties. He framed it as respecting Ms. Rao's privacy but it was a direct instruction to stay quiet." He looked at Mrs. Desai. "I think that should be on the record."
Mrs. Desai looked at him for a moment. Then she said: "It is on the record." She made a note. "Thank you, Rohan."
Dev's statement was briefer — he described the spreadsheet, the specific detail about the ten-forty-seven PM time, and the subsequent grade change on Tuesday night. Karthik submitted Naina's screenshots of the system activity log as a separate exhibit — the unauthorised access to Kavitha Rao's account, the pattern of late-night logins, the grade adjustment.
"This is criminal computer access under the IT Act," Karthik said to Mrs. Desai. "We will be filing a separate police complaint on this matter. But the digital activity also establishes that someone within the school's administrative structure was actively managing the appearance of Ms. Rao's continued employment — which is relevant to the question of institutional awareness and intent."
Mrs. Desai looked at the screenshots. "Who has administrative access to the school's digital platform?" she said.
"The platform's master credentials are held by the administrative officer and the principal. Both Mr. Iyer and Principal Verma could have accessed Ms. Rao's account."
"The activity logs will show which administrator's master credential was used," Mrs. Desai said. "We'll request those from the platform provider directly."
She looked at Kavitha. "Ms. Rao. You've been away from the school for three weeks. You are currently staying where?"
"In Pune. At a hotel for the moment. I will need to return to work — I have obligations to my students."
"You will be reinstated," Mrs. Desai said. Not a question or a commitment — the quiet statement of someone who had seen the evidence and had formed a view. "The Board's investigation will take time, but it will proceed. In the interim, a letter from this office to the school directing your immediate reinstatement and prohibiting any adverse action against you will be issued today." She paused. "Any attempt to take action against you, dismiss you, or alter your employment terms will be in direct contempt of a Board directive."
She looked at Karthik. "Formally serve that letter by tomorrow morning. I'll have it ready by three PM today."
Karthik made a note. "Thank you, Mrs. Desai."
