A day after receiving a complaint, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) on Thursday issued summons to the principal and three other staff members of Maxfort School in Dwarka, where a four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a classmate on November 17.
Notice to DCP
According to the FIR filed by the victim’s family on November 19 with the Dwarka Police Station, the girl was allegedly assaulted by a four-year-old boy during school hours. The victim’s family had approached the DCPCR on Wednesday. In its summons to the principal, two teachers and an aaya of the school, the DCPCR said in view of the “seriousness of the matter”, they were to appear before it on November 27 as a part of its investigation into the case. The DCPCR also issued a notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the south-west district, seeking an action-taken report within seven days.
According to Section-82 of the IPC, however, “nothing is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.”
Meanwhile, the child’s mother demanded that the school be brought to book for alleged negligence under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The girl’s mother alleged that the school didn’t take her complaint alleging the digital rape of the child seriously and refused to help her. On the other hand, she said, the Delhi Police had said it was a sensitive case and legal action would be taken.
According to the mother, the child told her that a boy from her class opened her pants and touched her undergarments. He later sexually assaulted her even though she tried to push him away. She also told the mother that there was no nanny around to help her or save her.
Text message to teacher
Even as the family members of the girl were repeatedly told about what she underwent, the mother sent a text message to her teacher and informed her of the incident who, she alleged, was not forthcoming with any assistance.
The school’s legal advisor, S. Rajapa, however, said the school was cooperating with the police. Video footage and other evidence had been provided to the police, the advisor said.
(With inputs from PTI)