“There are also witnesses who claimed that they saw the red string on her hand and the black dot on her forehead even after school was over,” Seberang Perai Selatan police chief, Radzi Ahmad said, according to Bernama.

He was referring to the student’s claim that the teacher cut her kayiru, or holy string, and told her to remove her pottu.

The teenager lodged a report at the Tasek Gelugor police station.

Radzi said police had recorded witness statements from several students and teachers in the school.

Yesterday, FMT reported that the Form 1 student claimed that she was told by a senior teacher to kneel with her hands up during a school assembly on Tuesday as punishment for wearing shoes with velcro straps.

Radzi also said a separate report had been lodged by the teacher denying the allegation.

The case is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for insulting religion, he added.

He also advised the public against speculating on cases involving religious offences, as this could affect racial harmony.