Rapes in Maharashtra tribal school: Main accused confesses

Sources said the sweeper confessed before the police that he raped two of the three girls who filed a complaint

Weeks after a 10-year-old student was suspected to have been sexually exploited in a tribal boarding school in Buldhana district, the main accused, the school’s sweeper, has confessed to the crime. A total of 15 people were arrested in the case.

Medical reports of the two girls received by the police clearly indicate both of them were raped, sources confirmed.

Sources said the sweeper confessed before the police that he raped two of the three girls who filed a complaint.

Meanwhile, medical reports of the two girls clearly received by the police indicate both of them were raped, sources confirmed.

“The 23-year old accused has confessed before us that he raped two girls several times, but denied exploiting the third girl,” said Aarti Singh, senior IPS officer, heading the special investigation team (SIT).

The case first came to light on November 3, after which the state government formed an SIT. Days later, the parents of five more girls came forward suspecting their daughters girls were also raped at the boarding school. Of them, one girl filed a rape case, while another filed a molestation case.

The Buldhana police have filed three FIRs under under section 376 of the Indian Penal code (IPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act so far. This was followed by cancelling registration of the tribal boarding school by the state government.

The state tribal development department is also preparing a child protection policy for students studying at tribal boarding schools.