Delhi class IX student sexually assaulted by classmates

A class IX student has alleged that he was being threatened and sexually assaulted by his five classmates at a government school on knife point in West Delhi's Uttam Nagar area for past one year almost. The victim also alleged that the school staff, after catching the accused red-handed, let them off with a scolding and asked the victim to not come to school for about two weeks.

The incident came to light on Monday, when the class IX student refused to go to school. Initially the student tried to hide the matter and told his family that the teacher had asked him to stay at home for about two weeks. However, when the family prodded him further, he narrated the entire ordeal to his parents, alleging repeated sexual assault by a group of students for the past one year.

Police said that according to the boy, when he was in Class XIII, he was given corporal punishment. The group of five students then approached him, threatened with a knife and assaulted him. Since then, the students would call him to the washroom and repeat the offence, said a senior police officer.

The officer said that a case under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act has been registered. "According to the complaint, the boy was being repeatedly sodomised by the five students at knife point within the school premises. It was only after the family of the victim protested that the three accused students were suspended, while an inquiry is being initiated against the remaining two students. Police have apprehended three students and further investigations are on," he said.

The initial probe also revealed that last week, one of the teachers caught these students red-handed and a knife was also recovered from these students.

On Monday, when the family came to know about the incident, they approached the police and also contacted the Child Helpline. Parents told the police that when they contacted the school authorities, they assured of adequate action against the accused. On Tuesday morning, when the parents along with other family members and neighbours protested outside the school, the authorities took action and suspended three of the five students. Meanwhile, police said that the victim is being counselled after having undergone a medical examination that confirmed assault.

Police speak

Police said that when the boy was in Class XIII, he was given corporal punishment. The group of five students then approached him, threatened him with a knife and assaulted him