From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 22: The wilful suppression of the incident of the inhuman and beastly rape of the six-year old child in a private school in Marathahalli is a serious matter and the State Government must thoroughly investigate the role of Rustom Kerrawala, the Chairman of the ICSE school, demanded senior Congress leader Prof B K Chandrashekar in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Prof Chandrashekar, who had served as the Primary and Secondary Education Minister in the S M Krishna-led Congress ministry, said the ghastly incident was a most serious issue and cannot be lightly pushed under the carpet.
''The role of the chairman must be thoroughly investigated and the most stringent possible action must be taken not only against the perpetrator but also the management of the school,” he said.
Prof Chandrashekar, who was also the former Legislative Council Chairman, said Kerrawala was most likely to be liable under Sections 176 and 202 of the Indian Penal Code which prescribe punishment for withholding information.
Cancellation of NOC Correct
The State Education Department has''done the right thing in notifying cancellation of the NOC and to recommend to ICSE Board to de-recognize the school,” the Congress leader said.
The Siddaramaiah Government should not yield to pressure from any source, community or political, to go soft on the school, he said.
The department was also obliged to initiate action under the Right to Education Act against the school for handing out punishment to young kids by confining them in a dark room.
He said the department has not adopted the guidelines for safety in schools suggested by the Home department in 2013.
Dismissal of Inspector Necessary
Referring to the assault of post-graduate student in Fraser Town, the Congress leader urged the government to dismiss Inspector Rafiq from service for his attempt to avoid recording the charge of rape and for ''missing for a day” following the filing of FIR on him.
The dismissal of the inspector would help to reinforce the credibility of the police force, he said.
He suggested the constitution of a small group of 4 to 5 eminent persons to study the problematic issue from various angles and then hold a series of interactive meetings with stakeholders such as women’s groups, parents, college and school representatives, and psychologists to formulate a set of actions within a short timeline.