Bhopal school closed, de-affiliation process begins after teacher sexually harassed 3-year-old student

A private elementary school in Bhopal in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was closed days after a computer teacher allegedly raped a three-and-a-half-year-old kindergarten student, officials said on Friday.

The accused Kasim Rehan, whom the victim fondly called “Papa Uncle”, was arrested on Wednesday under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, police said.

The sealing process began on Thursday and steps are being taken to cancel the MP Board affiliation, an official said.

The district project coordinator has issued a notice to the school and the de-linking of the school will be done after due consideration as the future of the children studying there is at stake, District Education Officer (DEO) NK Ahirwar told PTI.

Commenting on the investigation into the case, Nidhi Saxena, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Women's Protection), said that the statements of the victim's parents had been recorded and a “caregiver” had been assigned to the child, whose statement would also be recorded in court.

The 28-year-old accused's mobile phone has been sent for forensic analysis, Saxena, head of the SIT set up to investigate the case, told PTI.

The victim always called the defendant “Daddy, Uncle,” she added.

“He is addicted to porn and watches such clips on his phone. Before committing the crime in the school toilet, he had watched such videos. These were recovered from his phone. He had divorced his wife a few months ago,” said a source.

The source added that the accused was a member of a motorcycle gang and incidentally took part in a candlelight vigil in March to protest against the rape of a foreigner in Jharkhand.

According to officials, the child's mother contacted police on Monday after school management allegedly ignored her complaint.

The child's mother discovered signs of injury on her genitals and confronted the school administration, it said.

Officials of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had protested against the incident and demanded the death penalty for Rehan.

(This article has not been edited by News18 staff and is taken from the feed of a syndicated news agency – PTI)