BENGALURU: About six inmates of Morarji Desai Residential School in Yeluvanahalli, who were allegedly asked to clean a septic tank by school heads, came under criticism from Leader of Opposition R. Ashok on Monday. He alleged that officials concerned tried to hush up the matter to safeguard the image of the State Government from embarrassment. The cleaning incident reportedly took place on December 1.
Ashok called for an inquiry by a sitting judge into the alleged cleaning of a septic tank, stating that a mere Criminal Investigation Department probe is not enough. An inquiry from a sitting judge would cover similar incidents, if any, in other parts of the state.
He conducted a spot inspection at Yaluvahalli and expressed doubt that the State Government would make all efforts to hush up the matter. He accused the State Government of giving a clean chit to the Yaluvahalli case.
The Leader of the Opposition claimed that inmates were asked to clean the septic tank to amass funds meant for cleaning. He suggested that the State Government start a helpline to hear complaints and grievances from children all over the state.
During his inspection, Ashok interacted with inmates and observed that the clothes of inmates who entered the septic tank were burnt in a bid to destroy evidence. Inmates informed Ashok that the cleaning incident took place on December 1, while officials concerned stated that no such incident had occurred in the Morarji Desai Residential School. Irked over the reply of the officials concerned, the Leader of the Opposition blasted at him, saying, “You are unfit for the post.”
Bharatiya Janata Party State Chief B.Y. Vijayendra said he has constituted a committee to study the septic tank cleaning incident, which includes MLCs Ravikumar and Chalavadi Narayanswami, former Women’s Commission chairman Pramila Naidu, among others.
The committee members have been asked to submit a report on the septic tank cleaning incident.
