Jaipur, Jul 29 (PTI) A three-and-a-half-year-old kindergarten girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a male staff member at a private school in Didwana-Kuchaman district of Rajasthan, triggering widespread protests by locals and public representatives, who demanded immediate arrest of the accused.
According to police, the incident came to light on July 27 when the child returned home from school and complained of severe abdominal pain. While her mother initially thought it to be a routine ailment, she grew alarmed as the child’s pain intensified.
On being asked, the child revealed to her mother that a male staff member had taken her to the bathroom and assaulted her, after which the pain began, police said.
The girl’s parents lodged a formal complaint at the local police station on July 28.
The child has been medically examined and is said to be stable.
Police are trying to identify the accused, as the child failed to identify him.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered widespread protests in the area, with residents gathering outside the school premises on Tuesday, demanding immediate arrest of the accused.
When no arrest was made by midnight, protesters blocked the main road, bringing traffic to a standstill. The demonstration continued throughout the night.
Several public representatives, including former MLA Shriram Bhinchar and BJP leader Prakash Bhakar, joined the demonstrators. Bhinchar sat on a dharna with protesters until 4 am, demanding justice for the child’s family.
DSP Vicky Nagpal and SHO Pankaj Kumar reached the spot and held talks with the protesters. The police sought three days to nab the accused, following which the road blockade was lifted.
DSP Vicky Nagpal said, “A case has been registered based on the family’s complaint and the child has been medically examined. District Collector Awadhesh Meena has constituted a committee, which will submit its report within three days. The school will remain closed until then.” He added, “The child has not yet been able to identify the accused, but police are examining every angle in the case. Suspects are being questioned, and the accused will be behind bars soon.” The incident drew sharp political reaction from former Rajasthan chief minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who described the crime as a shame on humanity and demanded fast-track justice for the victim.
In an X post, Gehlot said, “The horrific incident of rape of a three-and-a-half-year-old innocent girl inside a school … has shaken the entire state. This heinous act is a blot on humanity.” Gehlot urged the state government to bring the case under the Case Officer Scheme and ensure expeditious trial through a fast-track court. He claimed that during his tenure, the scheme had resulted in the conviction of accused in several rape cases in record time, including in cases where capital punishment was awarded.
Taking a dig at the ruling BJP government, Gehlot said the safety of girl children must be the foremost responsibility of any government, adding that no parent should feel afraid while sending their daughter to school.
“The BJP government of Rajasthan has so far failed on this count,” he said. PTI AG SMV SMV RUK RUK
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