Pitch dark classroom, few CCTVs, emboldened rapist in Delhi school: Govt report

Mangalore Today News Network

Sep 19, 2017: Following the rape of a five-year-old girl at a school in Gandhi Nagar, the sub-divisional magistrate’s report, submitted to revenue minister Kailash Gahlot, has identified ‘major lapses’ in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)-recognised school.

A minor was raped allegedly by a peon, Vikas Jaiswal, inside a classroom inside the school premises on September 9. The accused has already been arrested.

Vivek Vihar SDM’s report stated that the last safety audit conducted by an East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) school inspector was in December 2016. “However, the safety audit report does not have any parameters with regard to the police verification of employees, installation of CCTV cameras, entry/exit restrictions for unauthorised people, etc,” it said.

The report also stated that “unhindered access” was given to the accused to all parts of school. “Movement of the accused and other such non-teaching employees was required to be restricted so that they do not have any contact with the schoolchildren,” the government said, quoting the inquiry report.

Besides, the nursery classroom, where the incident allegedly took place, wasn’t locked after the classes finished. It also stated that the classroom was “pitch dark” with not even sunlight entering the facility during day time which helped the accused, Vikas Jaiswal, in executing the crime.

“The accused was working for the school, though formal appointment letter does not appear to have been issued by the school. Non-coverage of the whole school building under CCTV cameras reduced the deterrence effect. The accused had been working in the school for almost two-and-a-half years without undergoing any kind of verification and background check by the school authorities/police,” the government said.

The magisterial probe report said the EDMC has not taken any action against the school for undertaking classes in “un-recognised areas” of the building.

After the incident, the Delhi government had ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged rape of the girl on the premises of the school. The SDM’s report has been forward to deputy chief minister and education minister Manish Sisodia for further course of action.

Last week, the case was transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police after health minister Satyendar Jain had requested lieutenant governor Anil Baijal for the same.

Courtesy: Hindustantimes