Principal may be booked as co-accused

The state government has decided to re-look into the alleged rape of a seven-year-old student of a Navi Mumbai school and book the principal as a co-accused, if found guilty.

The state government has decided to re-look into the alleged rape of a seven-year-old student of a Navi Mumbai school and book the principal as a co-accused, if found guilty.

HT Image

Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe made the announcement after the issue was raised by Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe.

On June 21, the victim’s parents had approached the Kalamboli police after she told them about the incident.

After medical reports had confirmed rape, junior college teacher Firoz Ibrahim (32) at St Joseph’s High School and Junior College, Kalamboli, was arrested and his assistant suspended.

Gorhe said: “The seven-year-old had mentioned about harassment to the principal Meera Kunte and her assistant Preeti Gill but they did not seem to have taken the complaint seriously.”

Gorhe also demanded an explanation why the victim was called for questioning without the presence of a woman police officer and the identification parade conducted without keeping the girl concealed.

“Moreover, the state school education department has relocated the girl and her siblings to another school, but the old school refuses to refund their fees,” she claimed.

“If the principal is found at fault we will make her a co-accused in the case and will take her statement on the same,” Bagwe said. He added that to tackle such cases and make the laws on rape and sexual harassment more stringent, a committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari to suggest changes in the Act.