Ryan student murder case: Protesters set ablaze liquor shop close to Ryan International School. (Source: Express Photo/Manoj Kumar)
Two days after a 7-year-old class II student of Ryan International School in Gurugram was brutally murdered, the demonstrations took a violent turn on Sunday as protesters set ablaze liquor shop close to the school in Gurugram. Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said on Sunday that action has been taken against the management of the school. “Under Section 75 Juvenile Act, action will be taken against school management. Accused will be presented before court within a week. Action has been taken against management and owner of Ryan International School,” he said.
“Agar mata-pita jaanch se santusth nahi honge toh kisi bhi agency se Haryana government jaanch karane ko tayar hai (If the parents are not satisfied with the investigation, Haryana government is ready to let any other agency do the investigation),” added Sharma.
Earlier in the day, people gathered in large numbers in front of the school demanding a CBI probe in the murder. Police lathicharged people protesting outside the school. Following the incident, father of the deceased student requested to maintain peace. “Want to request all parents who are supporting us that please do not get involved in violence,” Varun Thakur was quoted as saying by ANI. “Police is doing its job, request a parallel CBI inquiry so that every detail related to the case is revealed,” added Thakur.
“We demand a CBI investigation, we want justice for Pradyuman,” said the parent of a child studying at the school. “We are not satisfied with ongoing investigation. The bus conductor being framed. School management must take responsibility of students’ safety,”a parent present at today’s protest was quoted as saying by ANI. As per reports, window panes were also broken during the protest.
Demonstrators protest outside Ryan International School as they demand action against the school, in Gurugram on Saturday. (Source: PTI Photo)
There were also reports of attack on media outside the school premises when police lathicharged protesters after they set ablaze a liquor shop nearby. Some media personnel were hurt in the process. Political leaders from across the spectrum condemned the attack on media. “Condemn police attack on media. Haryana police gaining notoriety of attacking media, happened even during Dera agitation, said CPI leader D Raja. Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said: “Media has its own role in democracy, shouldn’t be suppressed. Attack is attempt of government to hide its failure.”
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala demanded apology from Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and said: “Action against policemen responsible for the attack.”
Gurgaon Police arrested the accused bus conductor Ashok Kumar who confessed to killing the seven-year-old after the kid protested against Kumar when he tried to sexually assault him. Kumar was relieving himself in the school’s toilet when the kid went to the bathroom.
This has brought attention towards the lax security at Ryan International School. There is a 300-metre-wide open stretch of the boundary wall that lies unguarded. “They have been building this boundary wall for the past two years. They built around 100 metres and left it like that. Many cows have entered the school; even labourers from the surrounding areas enter the school premises at night,” a nearby eatery-owner told The Indian Express. Read more here.
The district administration has also suspended the private security company operating at the school and set up a committee to audit the school’s security. The CBSE has also formed a two-member fact-finding committee to probe the murder and sought a report from the management within two days.
Locals protesting over death of 7-year-old student set ablaze liquor shop close to Ryan International School in Gurugram (Source: ANI/Twitter)
Gurgaon Commissioner of Police Sandeep Khirwar said, “We will try to file the chargesheet in court within seven days. We will also request that the trial takes place in a fast-track court, so that the accused gets the harshest punishment possible. The involvement of the bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, has been confirmed. If someone else is involved, action will also be taken against them.”
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Meanwhile, the accused’s family blamed the school. “My son is innocent, he is just being framed. All this because of the school,” Kumar’s father told ANI. “My brother has been beaten up and pressurised to give wrong statements. School principal has bribed the police,” his sister claimed.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has assured quick action. “Have asked for a report. Principal has been suspended, whatever lapses will be found will be acted against. It’s a sad incident and heinous crime. The administration has nabbed suspect; directed authorities to complete formalities within 7 days,” he told ANI.
