NAGPUR: A school teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing eight minor girls over a period of one year, in Amravati district, police said on Tuesday.

Nilesh Nalat (27) a primary school teacher at Kapus Talani village in the district used to call female students to his residence on the pretext of solving difficulties at the tuition classes. His modus operandi was to give less marks to girls and fail them initially and then lure them to his house, they said.

The accused allegedly raped around eight girls, all studying in classes ranging from fifth to the eighth standard, on the promise of passing them, they said adding the number of victims may go up.

The entire episode came into light after one of the victims complained of unbearable pain in the abdomen, police said.

Offences under relevant sections have been registered against him, police added.