Mumbai : A 4-year-old junior KG student was allegedly raped in her school toilet by a non-teaching staff in Bhandup on December 9. After the locals learnt about the incident, they vandalised the school property on Wednesday.
The rape incident first came to light only on December 12 when the victim started complaining of severe stomach pain and told her mother about the same. The girl also refused to go to school. When her mother further inquired about the reason for the girl’s resentment, she confided in her and narrated the entire ordeal.
The victim’s parents were initially hesitant to lodge an FIR with the Bhandup police. However, they were approached by an NGO who encouraged them to register a case.
The police, on learning about the incident, also sent a team along with a woman constable to inquire if the news about the rape was true. On confirming the same, they convinced the family to register a complaint against the accused.
The accused has been identified as Kesari Upadhaya (32) who works as the supervisor in the girl’s school. The accused allegedly took the girl to the school’s toilet and raped her. Police sources revealed that the toilet does not have a door and that they are verifying the contents of the complaint.
The family lodged a complaint against the arrested accused on Tuesday. “After the FIR was registered, we arrested Upadhaya,” said P R Chavan, Senior Police Inspector, Bhandup police station.
A case has been registered against Upadhaya under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (Rape) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
On Wednesday, a huge crowd gathered outside the school in order to express their protest against the rape. The crowd barged into the school and vandalized the premises. They also burnt the school banners.
