Ryan school murder: Cops say authorities tried to remove evidence, wipe blood

Police said Ryan International School authorities tampered with the evidence at the crime spot by wiping off blood from floor and walls.

During the hearing of the murder of class 2 student of Ryan International School, the police told the Sohna court on Monday that the school authorities tampered with the evidence at the crime spot by wiping off blood from floor and walls.

Police personnel at Ryan International School in Bhondsi, Gurgaon. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Two top officials of Ryan Group of Institutions, who were arrested on Sunday, were remanded to two-day police custody for further questioning in the murder of the eight-year-old allegedly by a bus conductor of the group’s school at Bhondsi in Gurgaon on Friday.

Francis Thomas, regional head of the group, and HR head Jayesh Thomas were arrested on Sunday night and booked under section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Section 75 of the JJ Act deals with cruelty and crime against children under custody of someone andinvites punishment of 5-10 years.

Police produced them at the Sohna court on Monday and demanded three-day remand but the court granted two-day custody. The police also added section 34 (common intention) of the IPC in the murder case. Prosecution counsels demanded addition of section 201 of the IPC (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender).

Delhi police had made Francis the first accused as he was responsible for administration and civil work inside the school premises.

Police had on Friday night arrested the accused, Ashok Kumar, a 42-year-old bus conductor for the murder. He would be produced in court on Tuesday after his three-day remand ends.

CEO moves court

Apprehending immediate arrest in the case, Ryan International School’s CEO Ryan Pinto and his parents, Grace and Augustine, who are its founders, moved the Bombay high court on Monday seeking transit anticipatory bail.

Also, Gurgaon deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh submitted a report on Monday by three-member committee to inquire into safety and security measures at the school.

“Several loopholes have been found by the committee. There are no separate toilets for bus staff and students, CCTV cameras are not in sufficient number, toilets for students are unsafe, school’s boundary wall is broken etc,” said Singh. He forwarded the report to director of secondary education department for further action.

Meanwhile, a four-member team of Gurgaon police also went to Mumbai on Monday for questioning at Ryan head office and seek some documents related to Ryan International School, Bhondsi, regarding funds spent on safety and security.

Suspended principal in hospital

Acting principal of the school, Neerja Batra, who was suspended on Saturday, was rushed to a private hospital in Khandsa road on Monday after she complained of sudden pain in the chest during questioning by a Special Investigation Team of the police. The SIT is questioning three teachers including Batra.

Police said her blood pressure fluctuated suddenly and she was taken to a hospital. Batra claims that she took bleeding boy to a hospital in her car. Police sources said she might be arrested for negligence.

Ryan schools shut

All schools of Ryan group in Gurgaon have been ordered to remain shut on Monday and Tuesday on the directions of the district administration. Security has been stepped up at the school.

SHO suspended

Police also suspended inspector Arun Kumar, the SHO Sohna Sadar police station, in connection with the baton-charge on protestors which left several media persons injured and drew strong criticism from the opposition.

Gurgaon police spokesperson said the SHO was suspended after probe found that baton-charge was uncalled for and could have been avoided.