A Thane court has sentenced a teacher to three years' rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting three minor girl students in 2019, saying such an act deserves to be condemned and to be "dealt with a heavy hand", reported news agency PTI.

Special Judge Ruby U Malvankar, hearing cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the 35-year-old accused, reported PTI.