Rape of 3-year-old: Mumbai school to beef up security, install CCTV cameras soon

Mumbai city news: Police said the teacher took the girl to the trustee’s room, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her

The Andheri school whose founder-trustee and nursery teacher were booked for allegedly raping a three-year-old student, will soon install CCTVs in its premises to improve security. The step comes after parents raised concerns over absence of electronic surveillance in school, even though it is mandatory.

The school plans to install CCTV cameras now as the construction work has been completed. (HT file photo)

The kindergarten student’s mother registered a case against the 57-year-old founder-trustee and a nursery teacher on May 18. According to the police, the teacher took the girl to the trustee’s room, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

On Wednesday some sections of the school, which has over 700 students and studying an international curriculum, reopened for the new academic year and the management sent out messages to the parents assuring them that they plan to install CCTVs soon.

Police and parent volunteers were posted outside the school to prevent people from loitering around its campus. “Some of the parents had approached the management seeking answers. They said that the school will handle the issue in an unbiased manner and not take sides,” said the parents of kindergarten student.

When contacted, the school principal told Hindustan Times that the management is discussing the details of the project. “Our school building was under construction so far and it has recently been completed. So quotes will be called for CCTVs,” said the principal.

The school also issued a press statement on Wednesday stating that children’s safety is of paramount importance to the institution and they will take all necessary steps to ensure it is never compromised. “Protection of the children is not only an individual duty but also an institutional responsibility. We are co-operating with the authorities to get to the bottom of the issue raised, and are confident that the truth shall prevail,” read the statement. “We are encouraged by the trust and faith the parents have reposed in us during the past few testing day.”