Mumbai: Peon rapes toddler, parents say school tried to cover it up

More than 200 people gathered outside the Kandivli school on Monday, demanding its closure. Pic/Nimesh Dave

A 40-year-old preschool peon has been arrested by the Samta Nagar police for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl inside the school. The parents alleged that the teachers hid the incident and didn't inform the police about it immediately. The parents have demanded capital punishment for the accused.

The traumatised child has been admitted to Shatabdi hospital in Kandivli for treatment. The girl identified the peon as ‘kala' (black) uncle. The parents alleged that the school authorities deleted CCTV footage.

IN PHOTOS: Parents, locals protest outside Mumbai preschool after peon rapes 4-year-old student

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The child's father told mid-day, "My daughter used to go to preschool in the morning from 9 am to 12 pm and my wife used to drop her and pick her up from school. On Friday, my daughter came home in the afternoon and seemed happy after receiving a star mark on her hand, which is usually given by her teacher for an achievement. But, in the evening she started complaining of pain in her private part and then revealed the entire incident to my wife. My wife and I then took her to hospital where doctors informed the police."

"When we approached the school, the pre-school teacher told us that they had fired the peon but they didn't have any answer to why they didn't inform us or the cops. My daughter told me that she was in the washroom when the assault happened. One of the teachers, who came to the spot saw what had happened and locked the peon inside the washroom. The teacher also gave a painkiller to my daughter and marked a star on her hand. She also told my daughter that if she told anyone about the incident they would beat her father," the child's father said.

He added, "The teacher bathed my daughter and cleaned her clothes and destroyed evidence. The school teachers are equally accused in this crime for destroying evidence. We have demanded that they too be booked for the crime. We also demanded that the school's licence be cancelled."

A police officer said, "The accused has been working with the school for the past 20 years and we have received many such complaints against him. We are checking his criminal records." On Monday morning, more than 200-300 people gathered outside the school and blocked the road. The crowd also tore the banner of the school and threw stones at the building.