Trichy: A govt schoolteacher was suspended near Manapparai in Trichy district on Monday for going to school drunk. Officials visited the school and investigated after some parents filmed him in an inebriated condition and complained about him.

Arokiyaraj, 55, from Avarampatti in Thanjavur district, has been working in the panchayat union primary school at Vayamalaipalayam for the past six months. He has been teaching in govt schools for the past 20 years.

On Monday, drunk Arokiyaraj allegedly misbehaved with people in school. Then, he fell and passed out in the classroom. The parents woke him and gave him water. Some parents filmed him lying on the floor and struggling to regain his senses. The video clip later became viral.

Marungapuri block educational officer J Latha, Manapparai DSP in charge A Kathiravan, and Manapparai AWPS inspector D Kavitha visited the school and investigated the staff.

Arokiaraj was taken to a hospital and his samples gathered for tests.

Latha submitted a report based on an initial inquiry. Based on her recommendation, district educational officer N Ravichandran suspended Arokiyaraj.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran shared the clip on his social media account and criticized the state govt and Tasmac. He also lashed out at the chief minister and the school education minister.