Delhi School Sexual Assault Case: CM Kejriwal Orders Suspension Of Vice-Principal, Teachers

The Delhi government has directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to come up with guidelines for schools on handling cases of abuse amid outrage over the incident.

Amid outrage in Delhi over the sexual assault of two boys by their classmates at a government school, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday ordered the suspension of the vice-principal and teachers over their alleged failure to report the incident to police, PTI reported. The Delhi CM also directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to come up with guidelines for schools on handling cases of abuse in a supportive environment for children.

The letter to DoE was written by Delhi Education Minister Atishi on the direction of the CM. 

Calling the incident "deeply disturbing", Atishi has asked the DoE to ensure training of all principals and teachers on POCSO provisions, mandatory reporting of abuse cases and remedial measures.

"It is especially worrying that the students had informed the teachers and the vice principal, but they did not bring it to the notice of the police or any higher authorities. Not only is this immoral, but also against the law. As per the POCSO Act, non-reporting of sexual abuse - by any adult who is aware of the abuse - is a criminal offence," Atishi said in the letter.

What Is The Case All About?

The two boys, aged 12 and 13 years, have lodged complaints with the police alleging that they were sexually assaulted by five to six classmates. Police said the alleged incident took place in April during a school summer camp.

The 13-year-old boy alleged that he was taken to a park and sexually assaulted. The Class 8 student also alleged that his classmates threatened him not to disclose it to anyone.

However, a few days ago his classmates started troubling him again. This time, the 13-year-old told his teachers about the incident but he was asked to keep mum on the incident. However, the boy informed his parents, who later made a PCR call and a case was registered on Sunday, PTI reported.

On Tuesday, Delhi Police, in a statement, said four minors "found in conflict with the law" were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee.

"They have been apprehended for allegedly sexually assaulting the two Delhi government school children. Both the minor survivors have recorded their statements before the concerned Magistrate under section 164 CrPc," the statement said, ANI reported.