5 of Noida school booked for harassing minor girl

Police said the matter is under investigation and CCTV footage from the campus are being checked.

In her complaint to the principal on October 9, the girl wrote: “…This guy is sexually harassing me using vulgar slang! His classmates were all involved just laughing along. Please have a talk regarding this. (the accused) has crossed all the limits.” The e-mail was copied to three faculty members as well as the director of the school.

Next day, she wrote an email to the school director. “Just wished to bring this to your notice. This email is regarding the incident that took place yesterday afternoon which involves …(the main accused) and others who just laughed along and encouraged it while putting me down. I was called to their table and was asked to kiss by (accused no. 1) multiple times regardless of saying NO and when asked to stop, he demanded me to involve in sexual activities with his friends. I backed away making it clear that I was severely uncomfortable, but the catcalling wouldn’t stop from behind,” reads the second email by the victim.

She further added that the accused boys made remarks while referring to her body parts. “The guys came late to the lesson and all of them occupied the chairs right behind me and started the act. Regardless of being asked to stop multiple times, he continued harassing me and making sexual threats while his other guy friends mocked me and laughed along,” wrote the victim.

The victim’s father asked why nobody has been arrested so far despite the FIR being registered under serious sections.

“The school administration is equally responsible in this matter… The sole reason for the lack of action by the school is that they do not want any reduction in their fees (due to possible disrepute) …Children of influential people study here,” he told The Indian Express.

In his complaint to the police, the girl’s father said when he asked the principal about the incident, he only assured him of an inquiry. The girl’s father said that despite being told in writing that the accused had threatened that he could go to any extent, the principal and the school director did not do anything.

“On October 13, in the afternoon, I got a call (from the victim) that these boys were again talking obscene and shameless things. I immediately called Principal Sir to ask what was happening. He only kept giving assurance of inquiry. Then, with the intention to kill her, he (the accused boy) made a fatal attack by kicking and punching (her). When he got tired of beating, he left her and said that next time I will kill you, you don’t know me,” reads the complaint of the victim’s father.

Noida’s Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Shakti Mohan Avasthy said, “A notice has been sent to the school seeking a response as to why they did not take any action on the complaint sent by the victim. The CCTV footage is being checked and the matter is being investigated thoroughly. The statement of the victim and the accused will be recorded before the magistrate soon.”

The FIR against the five students, all minors, was registered under sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), 354A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

The school management did not respond to calls and messages from The Indian Express. On Saturday, the school released a statement saying it had initiated an internal inquiry into the girl’s allegations.