A 12-year-old girl in Odisha was allegedly raped by three teachers and a peon of a private English medium school in Kendrapada district, Odisha, for over two years. The brutal incident of crime came to light after the girl opened up to her father, and they filed a police complaint against three men. A woman teacher also allegedly abetted and concealed the crime, according to a TOI report.
The three teachers, aged 37, 31 and 47, and the 32-year-old peon have been arrested by the police. Moreover, the woman teacher has also been arrested for helping the men in the crime.
What Did The Girl Allege?
The Class-8 girl told her mother about the crime more than two years after it started, according to her father’s complaint. She alleged that three teachers and a peon had sexually assaulted her repeatedly on the school premises when no one was present. They also threatened her into silence, while the woman teacher helped them, TOI reported.
On January 14, the girl refused to go to school, following which her mother questioned her. The girl then disclosed the details. She further alleged that the female teacher used to take her to the school’s rooftop.
Complained to School Principal, No Action Taken
The girl’s mother said that she had complained to the school principal last month about the horrific incident; however, no action has been taken by the school authorities.
The private school, where the crime happened, has around 600 students and 20 teachers, started 24-years ago.
Approached To District Child Welfare Committee
The girl’s father went to the district child welfare committee after returning home on Friday to seek their help in getting justice.
“After receiving the complaint, we visited the school and spoke to the girl, her parents, teachers, staff and the principal. The survivor told us she had been sexually assaulted by three teachers and a peon multiple times in the past two years, and that a woman teacher took her to the rooftop. We advised the father to lodge an FIR. Police are investigating and CWC is monitoring the case,” Swagatika Patra, chairperson of the committee, told TOI.
All Five Accused Arrested
The police have arrested all five, including four men and a female teacher, under sections 65(2) (rape of a girl under 12 years), 70(2) (gang rape of a minor), 351(2) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention) of BNS, along with sections 4 and 6 of the Pocso Act.
The female teacher has been arrested under sections 49 (abetment) and 60 (concealment) of BNS.
(with inputs from Times Now)
