The Golconda police in Hyderabad arrested a 29-year-man for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old at a private school in the old city area on Sunday, after the crime had triggered massive protests last week. The man has been identified as Mohammed Geelani, a supervisor at the school.
Police said that the accused was mainly hired for looking after primary school students at the institute. Meanwhile, medical tests conducted at a government-run hospital in the city also confirmed that the assault took place.
The incident took place when the accused lured the girl with a chocolate, during the interval. The accused then took her to an isolated area and sexually abused her, the police said.
After she reached home at around 12:30 pm, the girl told her parents that she was experiencing pain in her private parts and then narrated what happened.
Following this, the parents rushed to the school and staged a protest. As news of the incident spread, a large number of people gathered outside the school, shouting slogans of 'We want justice'. As tension escalated, the Golconda police, which had reached the spot, attempted to pacify the crowd.
According to media reports, some locals pelted stones on the empty buses that were parked in the school premises, while others vandalised some furniture and other property belonging to the institute.
As police officers were also injured in the melee, around 17 people were detained by the police on Sunday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. They were later let off after a strict warning.
Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin who visited the school where the crime took place, met with the girl’s parents on Sunday to enquire about her health and assured them of all possible support.
Doctors said that the child is out of danger and her health was improving under medical supervision.
A case has been registered under Section 376 (Rape) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.