Bengaluru: Sex predator at school molested six toddlers

Bengaluru: Shocking developments came to light in the case surrounding the sexual assault of a three-year-old at her nursery school in Marathahalli, as investigating officials found that at least six young girls had been assaulted by a single offender.  Police have now registered six separate FIRs against the accused, Manjunath, who is a supervisor at the school. 

According to sources, it was assumed at the start that there was only victim. “It has now been learned that six kids were sexually assaulted by Manjunath, who has been charged under the POCSO act,” said Hemant Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police, East. Sources also add that this number is likely to increase, as more and more parents are coming forward with details of alleged attacks on their kids.

Several of the parents who lodged complaints with Marathahalli police over the incident have alleged that they were made to wait till 4 am on Wednesday for the FIR to be registered, which police deny. The parents, who met Commissioner Praveen Sood on Wednesday, have urged police to book the school’s principal, Veena, as the second accused. “Police are proceeding slowly. On Wednesday, several government agencies wanted Marathahalli police to book a POCSO case against school authorities, which didn’t happen. The school principal is the daughter of an MLC, so will our kids get justice,” said an agitated parent. 

KCPCR officials said the school has been suspended by the franchise itself. "There are 178 kids and we need to find new schools for them and reimburse fees,” informed an officer. 

Government depts pass buck on acting against school
As the case surrounding the sexual assault of the three year old at a school in Marathahalli continues to heat up, with the victim count shooting up from one to six, government agencies are embroiled in the customary squabble over who is responsible. Not a single department in the state government is willing to initiate action against the school, which remained closed on Wednesday.

Ashwatha Narayana Gowda, DDPI, Bengaluru South, told Deccan Chronicle that as school in run under the franchise model, it doesn’t come under the department. "We have not issued them permission. As it is a franchise school, we don't have the power to initiate action either,' he said. "Bearing in mind the interests of students, I have asked my officials to visit the school and furnish a report,' he said.

According to Mr. S.M. Ramesh, BEO, Bengaluru South 4, who visited the school, a report has been sent to the DDPI. "This school has classes only up to UKG. As per a government order, schools that cater to students only up to UKG, don’t require DPI permission,' he explained. Ramesh added that the school was closed on Wednesday.

Who should act now: Questions are being raised about who is responsible for initiating action against the school. Speaking to this newspaper, an officer from the DPI said, on condition of anonymity, that action can be taken only after the police investigation is complete. “It is up to the Women and Child Welfare Department to act,” he said.  However, the Women and Child Welfare Department has passed the buck right back to the DPI!

Child rights agencies hit by lack of resources: Activists
The state government and its many agencies are taking the heat from experts, parents and activists alike, all of whom are upset with authorities for failing to protect kids even in school campuses. They allege that even though the state government has set up several agencies to protect girl children in schools, nothing has been achieved.

According to activist Mrs. Shriguna Sukumar, this is the time to ask state agencies a few tough questions. "In the last 15 days, five instances of sexual assault have been reported in city schools. State agencies still haven’t come up with precautionary measures, engaging instead in raiding institutes and summoning officials," she said.

Sukumar and many others feel the need of the hour is more funding and human resources to agencies engaged in the protection of child rights. “There are nine agencies, but they exist only in name. The problem is a lack of resources. For instance, these officials still use public transport when they visit city schools. Surprise visits are not possible in these conditions,” said a member of one of the agencies, on condition of anonymity. "Bringing all the agencies under a single authority is the one of the solutions to ensure that effective prevention measures are implemented,' he added.

According to Mr. Nagasihma G Rao of the Child Help Line, private schools, have, on several occasions, refused government officials entry onto their campuses, saying they must have permission from central agencies. "Kids are vulnerable in these institutes. The state government must act immediately,' he said.

Organisations engaged in protection of child rights
KCPCR
Child Welfare Committe (CWC)
Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)
The Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU)
Child Welfare Officer (CWO)
District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)
Child Help Line (1098)
Child Marriage Prevention Officer (CMPRO)
Child Protection Committee (CPC)

...But the school can’t be touched
The three-year-old who was sexually molested at her playschool is still waiting for justice as the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Women and Child Welfare squabble over who is to take action against the erring facility. The Department of Public Instruction has refrained from initiating any kind of action for two reasons: First, the school is a franchise and second, it conducts classes only up to UKG which doesn't require DDPI permission. Officials say it is up to the Women and Child Welfare Department, who can only examine the case after the police investigation is complete.