CWC finds girls’ toilets being used by boys in Ghaziabad school where minor was assaulted

The CWC, after its inspection on December 6, sent a report to senior officials at the Centre and also officials of the state government in this regard.

The team of child welfare committee (CWC) officials who inspected the Sahibabad-based school, where a class 2 girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by minor students, found serious lapses including the use of girls’ toilet by boys, lack of women support staff and dysfunctional CCTV cameras.

A case has been filed at the Sahibabad police station. (Sakib Ali/HT File)

The CWC, after its inspection on December 6, sent a report to senior officials at the Centre and also officials of the state government in this regard.

According to the girl’s parents, the boys allegedly inserted some object into the victim’s private parts on November 8.

“Following the FIR, we inspected the school, where we found that the boys’ washroom was locked and the boys were using the girls’ toilet. We also found some dysfunctional CCTV cameras and there was no woman staff deputed to look after the children while they moved around toilets,” Shalini Singh, member, CWC, said.

She said that the report of the school inspection was sent to the higher authorities of the school, ministry of HRD, principal secretary – UP and Ghaziabad district magistrate.

“We have also called upon the parents of the girl for counselling but they have not responded so far. It is only after the counselling sessions will we be able to get more information from the child about the incident,” Singh said.

Following the alleged incident, the parents of the girl approached the police after a doctor, during treatment, told them that the girl had suffered an injury to her private parts.

An FIR under sections of voluntarily causing hurt, rape and sections of Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act was lodged into the incident. During the investigation, the police questioned two boys of class 5 and 6 but they denied any assault and said that they had slapped the girl as she was allegedly misbehaving.

The police also got a medical examination conducted but the report ruled out an injury. However, the police had said that they will take the opinion of medical experts as there was a lapse of nearly 25 days between the date of the alleged incident and the filing of an FIR.

“Earlier, the girl was not going to school and was fearful but we have started sending her to school now. It is more than enough for us as our child is normal now and is paying attention to her studies. Her medical has also ruled out any injury. We will decide if we want her to go in for counselling by CWC. However, I do not want to pursue the case,” the girl’s father said.