Bengaluru: As the number of complaints against Manjunath, the nursery school supervisor accused of sexually harassing children, is increasing, city Police Commissioner Praveen Sood said the police have requested the parents to cooperate with the investigations and record the statement of their children before the magistrate, to build a strong case.
At a press conference here on Saturday, Sood assured that the police will not ignore even a single allegation and each complaint will be taken seriously. "It's a grave offence and the police will leave no stone unturned as far as the investigation is concerned. I have personally spoken to many parents, who have alleged that their wards were harassed by the supervisor. I have assured them that the accused, including those in the management, will have to face action for the serious offence."
Sood said that the police had, so far, registered eight FIRs in this connection. "I have requested the parents to cooperate with the investigation as medical examination of some victims would be required. We have also requested the magistrate to record the statements of the victims in the presence of the victims' mothers, so that they could depose without fear. The statements will be recorded at a place of mutual consent and the statements would build strong evidence against the accused," he added.
‘Record statements in child-friendly places’
When Deccan Chronicle contacted Child rights activist Nagasimha G. Rao, he said as per the POCSO Act statements of victims must be recorded in such a place which is child-friendly and where children wants to depose in front of the magistrate.
Nagasimha G. Rao
"Decision should be left to children where they want to talk to the magistrate. Parents, children, police and magistrate can take an unanimous decision in this regard," he said. As per the provisions of the POCSO Act, police cannot take the children's statement under any pressure. "They must be allowed to record their statement as per their wish, which should be videographed for the later part of judicial process," he said. "Generally children statements are recorded with the help of counsellors. Statements are not recorded in the group. Every single child is allowed to talk separately," he explained.
