11-year-old gang-raped in Delhi school; DCW issues notice to KVS, police

An enquiry has also been order by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan’s regional office. The alleged incident had taken place in July but the victim approached the police on Tuesday only after the matter was highlighted by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

An 11-year-old student of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in the national capital was allegedly gang-raped by two seniors inside the school washroom. Following the accusation a case has been registered, police officials said on Thursday. An enquiry has also been order by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan’s regional office. The alleged incident had taken place in July but the victim approached the police on Tuesday only after the matter was highlighted by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). The DCW, which termed the incident as a "serious matter", issued a notice to Delhi Police and the school principal on the issue. The school authorities have been asked to inform why the incident was allegedly not reported to the police by them. Officials of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) maintained that the incident was not reported to the school principal by the victim or her parents and has only come to light following police investigation.

Even schools are unsafe in National Capital?

Meanwhile, the police stated that a case was registered immediately after the victim filed a complaint on Tuesday. DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal said, "We have received a very serious case of gang-rape with an 11-year-old student inside a school in Delhi. The girl has alleged that her school teacher tried to hush up the matter. It is very unfortunate that even schools are unsafe for children in the capital,” She demanded strict action in the matter. “Also an enquiry into the role of school authorities must be conducted on the issue," Maliwal added.

Matter hushed up by teacher

According to the Commission, the minor alleged that in July while she was going to her classroom, she collided with two boys from her school studying in Class 11 and 12. "She said that she apologised to the boys but they started abusing her and took her inside a toilet. She alleged that the boys locked the toilet door from inside and raped her. She stated that when she informed the incident to a teacher, she was told that the boys have been expelled and the matter was allegedly hushed up," a DCW statement said.

KVS officials said no complaint regarding the matter was received by the school authorities. "The regional office of KVS is investigating the issue. The incident was not reported to the principal by the girl or her parents. The issue was also not raised at a parent-teacher meeting held after the incident," a senior KVS official said. "The issue has come to our notice only through police investigation. We are cooperating with Delhi Police in its proceedings," the official added.

A detailed investigation underway

The police officials said that a detailed investigation is underway. Based on the statement of the victim, the teaching staff and suspected students are being interrogated, police said. The DCW sought from the police an action-taken report on the incident. "The Commission has asked the school principal to inform as to when did the school authorities learn about the matter and what action was taken by them. It has also asked the school to furnish a copy of enquiry report conducted in the matter,” the panel said.

The police and the school have also been asked by the commission to provide information of action taken against the school teacher and/or any other staff for allegedly not reporting the matter to Delhi Police.

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