Police in Odisha’s Kendrapara district on Saturday arrested five teachers of a private English medium school in a case of gang rape of a 13-year-old 7thstandard girl student.
The arrested accused included a woman teacher who abetted the crime by trying to cover the dastardly crime. The accused were on the payroll of the school in Olver village under Rajkanika police station jurisdiction, police said.
The minor survivor was allegedly inflicted physical abuse for a prolonged period. The latest sexual assault by the accused male teachers was reportedly perpetrated upon the victim last month during the course of annual function of the school. Deeply traumatized by the physical abuse, she confided about her ordeal to her parents with the graphic sequence of events. Later, her parents brought the matter before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) seeking exemplary punishment for the culprits.
Considering the gravity of the complaint, the CWC investigated the matter and apprised the local police. The CWC also asked the police to probe the complaint on priority basis.
“The complaint was lodged in this connection on 18 February. After a 48-hour-long investigation, we found veracity of the allegation and referred the sensitive case to the police for coercive legal action. CWC has also directed the District Education Officer to carry out separate departmental investigations. The School and Mass Education Department authorities are also instructed to take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of sexual abuse of students”, said Member, CWC, Swagatika Patra.
The police swung into action on two separate complaints lodged by CWC and father of the victim. The statement of the victim was recorded in accordance with legal provisions. The accused and the victim were later medically examined. As investigation found prima facie evidence, the accused persons arrested under relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 were later remanded to judicial custody, said Inspector-In-Charge, Rajkanika police station, Sanjay Mallick.