Govt may take over Janakpuri’s school after 3-year-old’s alleged rape

The Delhi Government may take over the management of a private school in West Delhi’s Janakpuri as a show-cause notice to the school authorities over the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl on its premises is still unanswered, officials said on Monday.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said that education department officials visited the school on Monday and collected relevant documents, which will be verified on Tuesday, and further actions will follow.

“DoE officials were in the school today; they inspected the school premises to assess safety measures and collected documents which will be verified on Tuesday, and accordingly, actions will be taken,” he said.

The minister further said the Government may approach the court to take over management of the school if the documents are found to be unsatisfactory.

Citing serious lapses in child safety, supervision and compliance with statutory norms, the Directorate of Education (DoE) on May 8 issued a show-cause notice to the school management, warning that failure to furnish a satisfactory response could lead to withdrawal of recognition and takeover of management under provisions of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR).

The school authorities were granted three days to file their response. However, it is yet to be received by the DoE, and the department is planning to initiate disciplinary action against the school over the alleged deficiencies in child safety measures, officials said.

According to police, the child’s mother lodged a complaint at Janakpuri police station on May 1, alleging that her daughter was sexually assaulted during school hours on April 30, the second day after her admission to the school. A 57-year-old staff member of the school was arrested in this connection.

Police said the child complained of pain after returning home and later told her mother that she had been taken to an isolated area inside the school where the accused allegedly assaulted her.

In its notice dated May 8, the DoE said a preliminary inquiry found several violations and deficiencies on the part of the school administration.

The department alleged that the school failed to maintain adequate surveillance and monitoring systems, including the non-installation or absence of CCTV cameras at sensitive locations.

It also flagged alleged failures in the implementation of child protection safeguards and preventive mechanisms within the campus.

The notice further stated that nursery and pre-primary classes were allegedly being run from a separate private premises located around one kilometre from the recognised main campus without prior approval from authorities.

“The alleged shifting of students to an unapproved premises raised concerns related to safety, statutory compliance and violation of land allotment conditions,” it said. The DoE had asked the school management to submit details related to staff deployment, CCTV records, child safety policy, suspension procedure against the accused, fire and building safety certificates, and permissions for operating classes from the separate premises by Monday (May 11).

The notice warned that failure to submit a satisfactory reply by the stipulated date will result in the withdrawal of recognition, takeover of management, and recommendation to the Delhi Development Authority for cancellation of lease or allotment of land.

Officials privy to the developments said a response in this regard is yet to be received from the school authorities on Monday noon, and the department is planning to initiate action against the school.

According to police, a case has been registered in connection with the alleged sexual assault on the nursery student under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to rape of minors and Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The child identified the accused, following which the 57-year-old school caretaker was arrested on May 1, police said. He was later produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.

However, he was granted bail by a court in Dwarka on May 7 despite strong opposition by the prosecution. Police said they are checking CCTV footage on the school premises.

Police Move HC Against Bail to Staffer

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has moved the Delhi High Court against the bail granted to the 57-year-old staff member accused of raping a three-year-old girl inside a private school in West Delhi’s Janakpuri.

On the other hand, family members and relatives of the child gathered outside the school on Monday and demanded strict punishment for the accused. They also expressed anger over the bail granted to him and sought speedy justice in the case. A senior police officer said an appeal has been filed before the high court challenging the trial court bail order in the case registered under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused, employed as a caretaker at the school, was arrested on May 1 after the child identified him during the investigation. “He was later sent to judicial custody but was granted bail on May 7 despite opposition from the prosecution,” the police officer said.