Cong alleges Durg SP covering up ‘sexual assault’ case in Bhilai school

Raipur: Congress has demanded a high-level probe into the alleged sexual assault on a four-year-old child at a reputed school in the steel city of Bhilai last month.
They allege that the police are trying to hush up the POCSO case by not registering an FIR, which is mandatory under law in such cases.
“Medical examination by doctors has confirmed injury marks.Parents of the student had sought a transfer certificate (TC) from the school, citing the incident, but the school initially refused the TC and asked them to furnish a fresh application without citing any reason for the transfer,” claimed former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and senior party leaders at a joint press conference in Raipur on Friday.
Baghel also showed a purported copy of the medical certificate issued by the doctors but refused to share it with the media as the case pertains to an alleged sexual assault involving a minor. Baghel claimed that the reports prepared by the school doctor, as well as another doctor, confirmed sexual assault.
Baghel accused the SP of playing multiple roles in the case – as a doctor, superintendent, and even as the parents.
Raising serious questions about the functioning of Durg police, the former CM alleged that the district superintendent of police was threatening the media, which reported the incident, pressurising the parents not to speak to anyone about the matter, besides threatening one of his subordinates who tried to take initiative for the sake of justice. “This is a highly sensitive matter in which law mandates that an FIR be lodged immediately once the matter comes to light."
When contacted, Durg district superintendent of police Jitendra Shukla told TOI, “We have tried to convince the parents to lodge a formal complaint, but they refused.” He refused to elaborate further.
Baghel said while replying to TOI, “I tried to meet the parents of the child, but they agreed only to talk on the telephone. The very next moment when I tried to contact them, their phone was switched off, clearly indicating the parents were under immense pressure,”
Public sector Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) and the SP are busy suppressing the case for reasons best known to them, Baghel alleged. However, a BSP spokesman said the public sector company has provided infrastructure, land, and other facilities for the school and a committee is responsible for its management.
Baghel said that as per the SC ruling, the police should take suo moto cognizance once the matter comes to their knowledge and register an FIR but surprisingly, the SP claimed an inquiry was done into the case without filing an FIR, which is a violation of his constitutional responsibilities. He also mentioned the memorandum submitted to the women and child development minister.
He further said that the entire matter is well known to the state govt, but still no action is being taken.
Baghel also criticised the state govt for the deteriorating law and order situation. He said that the Congress will soon hold a meeting on how to make the govt act against the guilty. The party demands the removal of the principal and, as per the law, an FIR against the SP for violation of his constitutional duty in the case. In addition to this, senior Congress leader and former minister Ravindra Choubey has demanded a polygraph test for the school principal.