Nabarangpur: A Class 9 student has allegedly been raped during school hours at a high school in Nabarangpur district, following which police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and launched an investigation.
The incident was reported from the Tentulikhunti police station area, with the victim’s family lodging a complaint following the alleged incident on August 21. A case has been registered, police said.
According to the complaint, the student had gone outside the classroom to relieve herself after the midday meal while classes were underway. She allegedly went to an open area behind the girls’ toilet within the school premises, where an unidentified person allegedly covered her mouth, tore her dress and sexually assaulted her.
The frightened student subsequently returned to the school and informed the teachers about the alleged incident. The school authorities reportedly changed her dress and informed her family and the School Management Committee. Subsequently, complaints were lodged with the police.
The victim allegedly told her family that the accused threatened her with a knife and warned her against disclosing the incident, claiming that he would sexually assault and kill her if she spoke about it.
The school headmaster said the girl had left the classroom during the ongoing classes to relieve herself. Although a separate toilet facility for girl students was available on the premises, she allegedly went to an open area behind the toilet. The headmaster said the student returned within around three minutes and that the upper portion of her dress was found torn.
Following the allegation, the school authorities and members of the School Management Committee also approached the local police outpost, seeking an impartial investigation and stringent action against anyone found responsible.
Police said they are examining the circumstances of the incident from various angles. CCTV footage, call detail records and mobile phone location data are being examined as part of the investigation.
The SDPO said that a case had been registered under the POCSO Act and that further investigation was underway. He added that anyone found guilty based on the investigation would face action in accordance with law.
The alleged incident has raised concerns over the safety of students on school premises, with the victim’s family seeking the immediate arrest of the accused and stringent punishment if the allegations are established.
