A housekeeping employee at a private school in Noida has been arrested on suspicion of raping a three-year-old pupil on school grounds last week.
The accused, a Nithari resident who had been employed on a contractual basis for mere months, is alleged to have lured the young girl to an area beyond the school’s CCTV coverage on 9th October, where the assault took place, according to police reports.
The incident came to light when the child’s parents noticed her unusual quietness upon returning from school. When questioned, the infant complained of severe lower abdominal pain. A subsequent examination by a private doctor revealed injuries to the child’s private parts, raising alarm bells about possible sexual abuse.
The young victim spoke to her parents about a man who “pricked” her private parts, leaving her in pain. She identified him as someone who distributes plates at the school. The traumatised child had since refused to attend school.
Noida’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ram Badan Singh, confirmed that the accused, employed in the school’s housekeeping department, has been charged under Section 65(2) (rape) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The arrest was made on 10th October.
The police have indicated that the school’s management will also be interrogated as part of the ongoing investigation.
In response to the allegations, the school released a statement stating, “Considering the kind of security and systems that are in place at the school, the incident in question is unlikely. No evidence has been found in the CCTV footage examined by the police so far. However, full support is being extended to the parents and the police. The investigation is in progress by the police. The school has requested a copy of the FIR.”
Also Read: Canada Accuses India of Homicide and Extortion in Diplomatic Row
