ELIZABETH, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A New Jersey high school teacher was charged Thursday with committing repeated sexual acts with a 14-year-old student.
Bipradas Mookerjee, 72, of North Brunswick, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, both third-degree crimes, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday.
According to officials, the investigation into the alleged acts began in mid-January when the Elizabeth Police Department received a report of a sexual assault against the minor.
The victim was referred to the prosecutor’s office’s special victims unit, which lead the investigation.
Authorities on Monday said the probe revealed the alleged sexual contact began in October 2021 and continued into January while Mookerjee worked as a math teacher at Elizabeth High School Frank J. Cicarell Academy.
Prosecutors said the victim was a student of the school as the alleged misconduct continued.
Mookerjee was arrested without incident and released from the Union County Jail following a detention hearing, according to the prosecutor’s office.
He is currently on supervised release awaiting his next court appearance, the prosecutor’s office said.
In a letter to parents, the high school stressed that the “safety and well-being of out students is always a top priority.”
The letter added that the school district is cooperating with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
“The district, upon knowledge of the alleged misconduct, immediately contacted law enforcement, fully cooperated and assisted in the investigation, and the teacher was not allowed to return to the school premises,” the school district said.
“Please know that the safety of our children and our team members is always a top priority and informing the parents and guardians of our school community in a timely manner is of utmost importance,” said Elizabeth Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “We are grateful for the professional and rapid attention given to this matter by law enforcement agencies.”
Anyone with information regarding the alleged misconduct is asked to contact Elizabeth Police Officer Johanna Rivera of the Special Victims Unit at 908-348-0999.
If convicted, Mookejee could face up to five years in prison.
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