Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Apr 14: Forum for Justice for Baby Nirbhaya on Tuesday April 14 said that it would hold a strong protest after April 30, if action was not taken against Mangalore One School under POCSO Act in connection with the sexual assault of a three-and-a-half-year-old child at Chembugudde under Ullal police station limits.
The child, an LKG student of Mangalore One School, was sexually assaulted allegedly by the school's van driver Madhukar on March 13.
Addressing a press meeting here on Tuesday, Renni D'Souza, social activist, said, "Though the mother of the victim in her complaint has urged to book the school authority under POCSO Act, till date no action or case has been registered against the school. Moreover, the case has been transferred from Ullal police station to Pandeshwar women's police station limits. This move by the police department has given room for suspicion.
"Moreover, the school administration committee president and the convener of the school are retired police officers and there is suspicion that efforts may be made to close the case. The committee appointed by the DC has prepared a hurried report and no action has been taken against the school administration for their failure to take responsibility," he added.
The Forum also demanded that the police department without being influenced by any political pressure should make sincere efforts to provide maximum punishment to the accused under POCSO Act. "Proper probe should be conducted on the irresponsible statements of the school administration committee. A separate case should be registered against the school under POCSO Act. The district administration and public education department should also taken suitable action under the Child Protection Act," the Forum said.
Social activist Vidya Dinakar said, "Pandeshwar women police station inspector Kalavathi who is the investigation officer in this case was also the investigation officer in the sexual harassment case against the retired ACP Jagannath, who is the convener of the school. The investigation officer plays an important role in providing justice to the victim. Either the investigation officer in this case should be changed or the police commissioner should ensure that strict and unbiased inquiry is done into this case."
Ummar U H was present on this occasion.