The Odisha Police have arrested a school principal in Mayurbhanj district for sexually assaulting a Class 6 girl for a month, ANI reported on Wednesday. However, before his arrest, enraged villagers tied Tapas Giri to a pole and beat him, reported India Today.

The assault came to light when the child refused to go to school for a few days. When questioned, she narrated what had happened.

“The headmaster of the school had been sexually assaulting a Class 6 student since last one month,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mayurbhanj) VK Patel told ANI. “She later told her family about it. A case has been registered regarding this and he has been arrested.”

The accused has denied the allegations, and claimed he was ready to die if found guilty.