A class ten student in a private residential school in Andhra Pradesh made an attempt on her life after she was allegedly sexually assaulted at school, and received no help from the school authorities. Police have booked the two minor boys under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the crime. They have also arrested two school staff for allegedly trying to cover up the sexual assault.
On Thursday, the survivor, who is from Kadapa district, was alone in the classroom with the two boys - her classmate and a senior - when the alleged assault happened. Police say she was unable to call for help as she was gagged with a cloth by her assaulters.
Even though the girl mustered the courage to make a complaint with the school correspondents, they simply asked to let go of the matter and not raise an issue. Further, the school management threatened to withhold her SSC hall ticket if she told her family about the assault.
She attempted suicide the same day by jumping off the top floor of her hostel building. The school management took the unconscious student, first to Kurnool government hospital and then later to Tirupati hospital. The girl has suffered multiple fractures, including those in her legs.
Even when the school authorities informed the girl's parents, they tried to cover up the incident. They allegedly told her family that she made the suicide attempt due to poor performance at school. However, soon after regaining consciousness, the girl informed her family about the sexual assault. The family then approached the police with a complaint against the school.
Speaking to TNM, Proddatur Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP Srinivas Rao said, “One of the boys was from the same class and the other boy was their senior. We have booked the two under POCSO. We have also taken into custody the two school correspondents, a husband and wife duo. We have booked them under section 506 for criminal intimidation, section 201 for tampering with evidence and protecting the accused.”
The accused minor boys have also been detained at a state-run home and will be presented before a juvenile court, police said.