A Government school Principal, Two teachers, and a forest department employee allegedly gang-raped a 17-year-old student. All the four individuals have been arrested in connection with the gang rape of the girl. Serious questions are being raised about the safety and security of children going to school.
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The horrifying crime came to light after the girl along with her mother filed an official complaint in Janakpur Police station. HW spoke to Janakpur Chirmiri Inspector Deepesh Saini who described the details of the crime.
According to Inspector Saini, the 17-year-old victim is a class 11 student. She was sexually assaulted by her teachers and Principal not just one but twice on two different occasions. The incident first took place on November 15 and again on November 22. Saini also informed that the girl was medically examined in front of the Crime Against Women Cell Member.
Meanwhile, the accused have been identified as Ravendra Singh Kushwaha who is the headmaster of Government Devgarh High Secondary School, Two higher secondary school government teachers namely, Ashok Kumar Kushwaha and Kushal Singh Parihar; and lastly Banwari Singh who did not play a part in the assault but provide aid for the crime. Banwari is an employee of the Forest Department in Chirmiri.
According to the police reports, on November 15, the headmaster allegedly lured the girl into his car under the pretext of helping her with her studies. He then took her to the residence of one of the other accused Kushal.
Another accused, Ashok, was already present at Kushal’s house. The three men were allegedly intoxicated and took turns assaulting her. What’s even more shocking is that they even recorded the gruesome act on their phones to intimidate her into silence.
Now a week later that is on November 22, one of the accused teacher approached the girl when she was on her way to a shop near a bus stop. He allegedly threatened her and forcibly took her on his bike to a rented house that belonged to the Forest Department employee Banwari. There, all three accused reportedly assaulted her again. The three made Banwari stand outside and guard the house and he supported them in the crime.
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But this time, the girl informed her parents. Upon learning about the incident the girl’s mother immediately approached the police to register an FIR. After the case was registered, the Inspector General of Police for the Sarguja Range, Ankit Garg, confirmed the arrests.
He further informed the TOI, “The victim’s complaint was registered on November 26. All four accused have been arrested, and investigations are underway. If police find more people were involved, we will take action against them too.” HW also tried calling IG Ankit Garg but he was unreachable.
According to TOI, The teenager is a bright student. She also takes computer classes at a private center after school. Since her home is around 25 km from school, she would stay back for computer class. Several teachers in the school knew about this.
Janakpur Inspector Saini also revealed that the accused had taken videos of the assaults and threatened to release them online if the victim spoke out. The trauma of the incident left the teenager in a state of shock, but she managed to provide sufficient details for the police to act.
All four accused were booked under section 70- 2 of gangrape, 49 punishment of abetment, and 351- 2 criminal intimidation of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act further investigations are ongoing.
In addition, the Education Department of Raipur has suspended the principal and the two teachers involved. The announcement of the suspension was made by Director of Public Education Divya Umesh Mishra, along with District Education Officer Ajay Mishra. The department further criticized that such behavior is not only illegal but a complete betrayal of trust in the education system. Furthermore, the Forest Department has suspended Banwari Singh, the fourth accused.
However, the incident has now gained political reactions. State Congress chief Deepak Baiji expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He further criticized the worsening law and order situation in the BJP-ruled state. He said “The graph of crime is rising rapidly in Chhattisgarh. Mothers and sisters are not safe. Law and order have completely collapsed. Police should curb such incidents. Law and order needs to be restored.”
The BJP, however, was quick to counter these allegations. BJP MLA from Ambikapur, Rajesh Agarwal, accused the Congress of hypocrisy, stating, “They should reflect on the lawlessness during their tenure. Today, at least swift action is being taken, and the culprits have been arrested immediately.”
Bharatpur Chirmiri Superintendent of Police Chandramohan Singh reassured that the investigation would be thorough. All the accused are arrested and strict actions will be taken to ensure justice is served. Singh further said the police have also urged the people in Chirmiri to come forward with any additional information.
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