Goa minor rape: School principal held for negligence

Panaji: The headmistress of a school run by the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Vasco town of Goa was arrested today for negligence in connection with the rape of a seven-year-old girl on the school premises, police said.

"Headmistress Sharlet Furtado was arrested this afternoon by South District police for negligence, which resulted in the sexual assault on the girl on January 14", Deputy Inspector General (DIG) OP Mishra told reporters.

Hinting at more arrests, Mr Mishra said that a case of negligence has been made out against Ms Furtado and this is the first arrest in the case.

However, Mr Mishra, supervising the investigations, termed it as a "blind case".

"This is a blind case. It has no point of origin. We are trying to build up the entire case", the DIG said refusing to divulge more saying it is a sensitive case.

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"The case is being investigated on a broad canvas. There are different angles to it", he added.

Police have registered two different cases related to the alleged sexual assault of the minor inside the school toilet. The incident had evoked strong reactions from parents and locals, who had hit the streets.

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The culprit, suspected to be a middle-aged man, is yet to be nabbed.

While the first case of rape is being investigated by special investigation team (SIT) of Crime Branch, the case of negligence against the principal is being probed by the South District police.

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Mr Mishra further said the case of destruction of evidence has also been registered in connection with rape on the complaint of the parents who alleged the child was given bath, her inner-wear washed and the toilet was cleaned by the school authorities after the rape.