Class 6 student gangraped in Malda school, 3 held: Police

Police said the alleged incident occurred on Saturday when the school was closed. But since many students were not aware of it they turned up at the school. While some returned home, others, including the victim, stayed back for a while.

In the meantime, the accused, who are from nearby area, entered the school and committed the crime on the second floor of the school building, the police said. One of the accused is brother of the victim’s friend, it is learnt.

The victim’s mother held the school responsible for the incident. “Another girl managed to escape from the spot and informed me. I rushed to the school and found my daughter crying there. We filed a police complaint on Sunday,” she said.

Malda Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kumar Yadav said, “We have got 10-day remand of the accused for interrogation. Investigation is in an early stage and the victim’s statement will be recorded soon.”

“The crime was committed after the accused broke open the lock of a room on the second floor of the building. We will cooperate with the police,” said a school teacher.
Malda District Magistrate Nitin Singhania formed a three-member committee to look into the alleged incident.

Reacting to the incident, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “A girl was raped inside her school. Imagine how fearless the criminal have become under the Trinamool Congress government.”

Former Union Minister of State Debasree Chaudhury said, “Arresting the accused isn’t a big thing. Such incidents force us to imagine the extent of crimes in the state. When those running the government shelter criminal elements such incidents are bound to take place. It is a shameful incident.”

State Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “The police have nabbed the accused. Whether they have actually committed the crime or not will be established after the investigation. Women are safe in Bengal. This incident is really unfortunate. The Opposition parties create a hue and cry but don’t talk about Hathras and Unnao.”