A ghastly incident of a three-year-old girl being allegedly sexually assaulted at her school in Indiranagar in Bengaluru, by the school watchman has sparked protests and parents clashed with the police on Tuesday. The incident which came to light on Monday is a stark reminder of the last year’s incidents of a series of sexual assault on girl students and once again sparked off a debate on safety in the schools for girl child.
The girl’s parents came to know about the incident when she complained of pain in her private parts after returning from school on Monday afternoon, following which they informed police. Police said that the arrested 25-year-old guard, native of Kolkata, has confessed to have committed the crime in the School on Monday afternoon.
Immediately, the child was sent for medical checkup where the doctors confirmed sexual assault on her and based on the girl’s statement the security guard was arrested. Police said the girl was taken for medical examination at Bowring Hospital on Monday evening. A case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and investigation is on, they said. Recurring sexual assaults on minor girls have evoked public outrage and raised questions about safety in schools and their compliance with safety guidelines issued by police.
In August 2013, there were reports of an eight-year-old girl being allegedly sexually assaulted by her 63-year-old teacher inside her school. Following several incidents of sexual assault in school premises, the Karnataka Home Minister and CM had warned of serious penal action against schools violating guidelines issued by the police to protect children from sexual attacks in schools.