The matron of a girls’ hostel on the southern fringes of Calcutta, a private teacher and another person were arrested on Mondayon charges of alleged molestation of children of theinstitution.

Police have set up a team in search of the matron’s husband, who is an accused, and said to be on the run. Senior officers said he had fled the state.

The incident came to light on Sunday, the day meant for the parents and guardians to meet their children at the hostel on the southern fringes of the city.

Guardians of five minor girls came to know on Sunday that the husband of the hostel’s matron, who stayed with her, had molested the children.

They were molested sometime in August but they did not speak about it to their guardians before.

The guardians complained to the head of the body that runs the hostel and a complaint was lodged with the local police station.

“Based on the complaint a case under Sections 10 and 17 of the POCSO Act was drawn up. The victims were called and examined in the presence of senior lady officers,” said an officer.

“The Child Welfare Committee was contacted and following its order, the kids were handed over to their parents.”

The police said their preliminary investigation revealed that the hostel’s matron got married recently and her husband used to often stay with her in the hostel.

The hostel authorities were allegedly unaware of this arrangement.

The matron’s husband along with a private English teacher and another man attached to the hostel allegedly molested the boarders.

The accused were not named in this news report to protect the identities of the facility and its inmates.