Tamil Nadu: Tribal School Principal, Warden Arrested For Concealing Rape Of Student

The girl, upon returning home, attempted suicide and died in Tiruvannamalai General Hospital on Tuesday.

A man with handcuffs (Image for representation/Pixabay)

Chennai: The Principal of Ekalavya Model Residential School in Chengalpattu and the hostel warden were arrested for concealing the rape of a 16-year-old tribal student of the school. The arrest was made since both the school authorities sent the tribal girl home even after knowing that she was 6 months pregnant and was impregnated by a neighbour, according to a report on IANS on Thursday. 

The girl, upon returning home, attempted suicide and died in Tiruvannamalai General Hospital on Tuesday.

The report said, a 16-year-old girl went to her home on lockdown and returned to the residential school once the school reopened. However, on December 22, 2021 she fainted and the hostel warden was told to take her to the nearby hospital. 

When the duo returned, the warden Shembagavalli told Principal Kumaragurubaran about the pregnancy but instead of informing her the parents about the pregnancy sent the child home by summoning them. The girl, upon reaching home, attempted to kill herself on January 7 and was rushed to Tiruvannamalai hospital for treatment. 

The doctors of the GH informed the parents that she was six months pregnant and started the treatment. 

When she regained consciousness, she informed that her neighbour Hariprasad raped her multiple times. The police arrested Hariprasad. 

Later, the police also arrested the warden and the principal for concealing the incident. All three members were arrested under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and SC/ST Act and sent to judicial custody.