Minor's rape: Security lapses found in school

The Sub-Divisional Majistrate (SDM) of Vivek Vihar has identified "major lapses" in the functioning of a private school, recognised by the civic body, in Gandhi Nagar, where a five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a peon on September 9.

According to the SDM's report, "unhindered access" was given to the accused to all parts of the school. The Delhi government had ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.

The report, which was submitted to Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot, has now been forwarded to Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia for further action.

"The accused was working for the school, though a formal appointment letter was not issued to him. His movement and of other such non-teaching employees was required to be restricted, so that they did not have any contact with the school children," the government said in a statement, quoting the report.

It also stated that the nursery classroom, where the incident allegedly took place, should have been locked after the class was over, adding that the unlocked pitch-dark room facilitated the accused.

"Non-coverage of the entire 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 any kind of verification and background check by the school authorities or police," the statement read.

Last week, the case was transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police after Health Minister Satyendar Jain requested Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal for the same. The accused has already been arrested.

NO ACTION TAKEN

• Government says the magisterial probe report stated the East Delhi Municipal Corporation has not taken action against the school for undertaking classes in “unrecognised areas” of the building.