New Delhi: A Class 12 student of a South Delhi public school—son of a Kenyan diplomat—accused of sexually assaulting a 5-year-old in a school bus has been suspended from the school.
The incident allegedly took place between August and September last year. The Kenyan national is accused of sexually abusing the minor twice. His suspension comes after the minor’s family and other parents of children studying in the same school protested Friday, says the minor’s father.
“The school management, after repeated complaints against the accused since September, had taken no action against him or even a single precaution, which led to children being sexually harassed. The school administration has to be held accountable,” he said Sunday.
Despite an FIR being lodged under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 10 (aggravated sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the foreign national has faced no legal action so far due to diplomatic immunity.
The accused is an adult, sources in the Delhi Police have told ThePrint.
In one of the two instances of assault, the parents have stated that the accused’s sister was present and had asked him to stop assaulting the minor.
According to the girl’s parents, the incident came to light after she complained of frequent urination. A medical check-up revealed the assault, with two doctors confirming the findings. The FIR was lodged in September last year, but the girl was initially unable to name the accused.
On 11 November last year, the girl finally named the accused. Her parents immediately informed the school administration and the police. However, they claim that the school took no action, while the police told them they had written to the Ministry of External Affairs, as they could not question or arrest him due to diplomatic immunity.
Government sources told ThePrint that the matter is currently under consideration and multiple legalities are being looked into. The ministry officials are in touch with the police too, they said.
The minor’s father had earlier claimed that the accused is allegedly a repeat offender.
“Four other instances have come out now as well. Parents of four minors have said their daughters were assaulted by the accused but the school didn’t take any action. The principal was informed by the parents but the school administration didn’t take any action,” the father said while speaking to ThePrint, adding that the school administration had asked them to change his daughter’s school instead.
ThePrint reached the school via an email ID available on its website. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
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Name and shame the school
The Kenyan diplomat’s son should be booked under POCSO and immediately arrested. Delhi Police must grow a spine and act swiftly.
One can recall how Ms. Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and arrested in front of her son’s school by US police. The case in hand is much more egregious than the allegations levelled against Khobragade.