A six-year-old student was allegedly molested by an attendent inside his school’s washroom in West Bengal’s West Medinipur district.
According to the victim’s mother, the incident took place on Friday when the restroom attendent subjected her son to “oral molestation”.
“My son is six years old and went to school on Friday. When we went to pick him up, he said he had something embarrassing to tell me. Upon reaching home, he revealed that the boys’ restroom attendant had closed the door and molested him—he subjected him to oral molestation. He only let go when my son’s friend knocked on the door; otherwise, my son was suffocating and could have even lost consciousness,” she said while narrating the ordeal.
She alleged that the school principal even defended the accused and didn’t inform the police.
“When we complained, the principal simply defended the accused. He neither informed the police nor allowed us to do so, claiming it would bring disrepute to the school. All the parents stood by me; we filed an FIR, and the accused was subsequently arrested. The school took no initiative,” the victim’s mother said.
She further demanded the suspension of the school principal and teachers, accusing them of making inappropriate remarks.
“All the parents have gathered here to protest against this injustice, and we demand the removal of the principal. Instead of helping, the teachers are making inappropriate remarks; we also demand the suspension of these teachers,” she added.
District SP Papiya Sultana said that an FIR has been registered against the accused following a complaint by victim’s parents.
“We immediately registered a case regarding the molestation of a minor child. We reviewed and seized the CCTV footage and have forwarded it for further action,” SP Sultana said.
She said that the police have issued several directions to school and will implement necessary measures to esnure such incidents don’t recur in future.
“Separate restrooms will be designated for Class 5 students; cameras will be installed outside the restrooms to monitor entry and exit; and an attendant will be stationed outside the bathrooms to assist any child facing difficulties. Staff will be hired only after a thorough background check. We will implement all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,” she added.