SCPCR for investigation into sexual harassment of Lalaji school students
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has decided to launch an inquiry into the sexual harassment of two students at the Lalaji Memorial Omega International School in Kolapakkam in July.
An exclusive DC report of September 18 had revealed that several vested interests, including policemen and local politicians, are allegedly being paid off by school authorities to weaken the case filed in July accusing Bhaskar, a bus attendant, of sexually harassing several children and raping a four-year-old boy. The case came to light when one of the children refused to get on the school bus and confided this to his mother.
Now, the Tamil Nadu SCPCR has taken up the case following the complainants’ letter to the Deputy General of Police, where they alleged that the police was attempting to derail the case.
Kalpana (name changed), one of the complainants, had said that the investigating officer, the inspector of the Poonamallee all-women police station had been convincing parents that the children may have been able to describe such details after watching pornography or watching the parents in compromising positions.
Speaking to DC, MP Nirmala, IAS (Rtd) TN SCPCR’s chairperson confirmed that they would be looking into the case after the parents approached them. The Commission will surely be looking into the matter, she said, adding that there are several allegations which they will have to verify. “How can we not take up the case when small children are involved?” she asked.
The complainants had alleged that one local former panchayat president Yesupadam along with another panchayat leader, Vasigaran of Girugambakkam, both belonging to AIADMK, had entered and dispersed the crowd when a meeting of parents was being held to discuss the case. Yesupadam denied any political intimidation and said that the reason he was present at the meeting was that his daughter studies in the school.
They also say that several others, including people who were not on the school’s payroll, were part of the harassment. The case, however, has only been filed against Bhaskar who is now out on bail.
