Mumbai school rape case: Statements of victims recorded

In the sensational Trombay special school rape and molestation case, statements of the two victims have been recorded before the magistrate. Police sources have said that the statements will bolster their case against the accused, the peon of the school.

"The two victims have given their statements before the magistrate under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Once the investigation into the case is over, we will file a charge sheet," said Sadanand Date, joint commissioner of police (crime).

On March 23, Trombay police had arrested Rajesh Tare, a resident of Govandi. Tare was working as a peon with the Children and Society Secondary School when he had allegedly raped a girl and molested another in the toilet inside the school premises. The incident came to light when the victims narrated their ordeal to a counsellor from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). Following this, a complaint was lodged with the Trombay police.

The case was later transferred to the crime branch's Crime Against Women cell. "As per our investigation, the incident had occurred a few months before the complaint was filed. Statements given by the victims will bolster our case in the court," said a crime branch officer.