File photo: College students protest against sexual harrassment of women and children in Bangalore
Installing GPS and CCTV cameras in their buses, not allowing bus drivers to mingle with children and issuing identity cards to all those who come to pick up children - these are some of the new guidelines that the Bangalore police has asked city schools to comply with after the alleged rape of a six-year-old in her Bangalore school earlier this month.
"I am issuing an order to all schools under the Karnataka Police act to implement certain guidelines. If they don't follow we will charge them under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code," Bangalore Police Commissioner MN Reddi said today.
He also said that the schools must implement these guidelines by August 31.
The girl, a first grade student, was allegedly raped on the premises of Vibgyor High School on July 2 by a skating instructor who was later arrested. On his laptop and mobile, the police found videos of children being raped. (
Do Schools Know Who They Are Hiring?)
In 2011, he was sacked by another school, Deen's Academy, for touching girls inappropriately despite numerous warnings. (
Bangalore Schools to Get New Template for Security)
The school said in its letter that Mustafa was fired in December, 2011, for "gross misconduct" but there was "no culpable incident whatsoever" that required them to report him to the police.
The six-year-old student was allegedly assaulted in a classroom at the school.
The incident shocked the city with angry parents and activists demanding action against the school management. (
A Bangalore Mother's Reaction to 6-Year-Old's Rape)
The man who hired the skating instructor -
Rustum Kherawala, chairperson of Vibgyor International School, was arrested earlier this week from Daman, for allegedly concealing information, destroying evidence and failing to protect a child.
The school has remained closed since the horrific crime and is due to open on Monday