Police to challege HC bail granted to school caretaker in child assault case
The Delhi Police is preparing to challenge the bail granted to the 57-year-old school caretaker in the case involving the alleged sexual assault of a three-year-old girl inside a West Delhi school, taking the matter to the Delhi High Court.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar told The Pioneer, “We are in the process of filing an appeal in the High Court against the bail granted to the accused in the matter”.
A court in Dwarka granted bail to the accused on May 7 after noting that the child’s medical examination revealed no signs of injury or redness. Police sources also said investigators were getting assistance from the forensic department in gathering evidence against the accused.
The court also took note of CCTV footage that allegedly showed the caretaker leaving the junior wing of the school in the morning and not returning during the period when the assault was alleged to have taken place.
The alleged incident took place on April 30, the child’s second day at the school in Janakpuri.
According to the complaint filed by the girl’s mother on May 1, the child told her that a staff member had taken her to an isolated area and assaulted her.
After the toddler identified the caretaker, police arrested him.
They booked him under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Meanwhile, the incident has also triggered administrative action against the school. Reports said the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a show-cause notice to the institution on May 8, warning of and threatening to take over its management over what it described as “grave lapses” in child safety and supervision.
The school was directed to submit a detailed response by May 11, failing which it could face withdrawal of recognition and cancellation of its land lease.
Delhi Police officials said the investigation into the case remains underway even as it moves to challenge the bail order before the High Court.
