Congress demands high level probe into Bhilai school 'sexual assault' case

RAIPUR: Opposition 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, alleging that the police were trying to hush up the POSCO case by not registering an FIR that 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 the sexual assault. However, he accused the SP of playing multiple roles in the case – as a doctor, superintendent, and even as the parents.
Raising serious questions about the Durg police, the former chief minister 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.
Public sector Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) and the SP are busy suppressing the case for the 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.
As per the Supreme Court ruling, the police should take suo moto cognizance once the matter comes to their knowledge and register an FIR, Baghel said. Surprisingly, the SP claimed an inquiry was done into the case without filing an FIR, which is a violation of his constitutional responsibilities, he added.
“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,” Baghel said while replying to TOI.
Baghel also mentioned the memorandum submitted to the Women and Child Development minister of Chhattisgarh, raising concerns over the case. He further said that the entire matter is well known to the state government, but still no action is being taken.
Baghel also criticized the state government for the deteriorating law and order situation. Baghel said that the Congress will soon hold a meeting and finalise strategies on how to corner the state govt for action against the guilty. The Congress 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
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former minister Ravindra Choubey has demanded a polygraph test for the school principal. Other senior leaders and former ministers Dr Shivkumar Daharia, Dhanednra Sahu and Satya Narayan Sharma were among those present.