The parents rushed with the child to police station, from where she was taken to hospital
Highlights
- 4-year-old examined by Kolkata hospital
- Male physical education teacher at all-girls school detained
- Teacher allegedly sexually abused her in toilet
A four-year-old girl in Kolkata is in hospital after she was allegedly sexually molested at a prominent school yesterday. Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Vishal Garg said two physical training (PT) instructors of the school were arrested after interrogating them.
Angry parents demonstrated at the school today, alleging lax security and asking why an all-girls school had a male physical education teacher
There were no working security cameras at the school, parents alleged, despite the fact that three years ago, the driver of a bus hired by this school sexually assaulted a student during a sports meet.
According to the police complaint, the girl said the physical education teacher abused her in the school toilet.
When her mother collected her from school around 4pm, she noticed blood stains on her clothes; the child was crying and complained of pain.
The parents took her to the girl's regular pediatrician who said she had been sexually assaulted and said the matter must be immediately reported to police.
The parents rushed with the child to a police station and were then escorted by the police to a hospital.
Principal of G D Birla Education Centre S Nath said that security of students is the top priority of the school.
"We are looking into everything. Give us some time. I'm assuring all the parents that security is the top concern for us," she said.
"We don't want this. All the children of the school are my children," she said.
West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said that he is looking into the incident with "utmost seriousness".
"I have no words to condemn the incident. Strongest punishment should be given to those responsible for the incident," he said.
Mr Chatterjee said that he had heard that such an incident had also taken place in that school three years ago and the school authorities should ensure security of the students.
Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister Sasi Panja said the child welfare committee has been asked to visit the school and the hospital where the girl was admitted. "I just cannot think of what has happened in that school.
The authorities of the school had assured three years ago that they will ensure safety in the school premises," she said.
West Bengal Commission for the Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Ananya Chakraborty said, "I have asked the school authorities why CCTVs were not installed there in the last three years, but they have no answer. They said it will be done this month. I am not satisfied with their answer," she said.
"We want full investigation into the incident," she added.
(with inputs from PTI)