Four accused of molesting kids in blind school

New Delhi: In yet another incident of crime against children and in a brazen violation of the Child Protection Act, the Mandir Marg police has registered a case of molestation, assault and harassment against four ex-students of Andh Mahavidyalay, a school for blind students situated at Panchkuian Road, for allegedly molesting and causing physical assault on blind students living in the hostel.

The accused boys were allegedly carrying out illegal activities in the school premises and had converted it into a liquor den. The complainant, identified as Vijay Kumar, approached the police and lodged a complaint in this connection on January 27.

In his complaint to the police, Mr Kumar accused four senior students, identified as Bhupinder Singh, Harish Chand, Shankar Lal and Nand Kishore. The complainant, an employee with the Andh Mahavidyalay who has been serving there for the last 57 years, stated that the school provides education to students from Class 1 to 8. After that, the students pursue their further education outside the school premises. However, a group of students who have completed their education along with a few dropouts have continued to stay in the school premises.

“The students misbehave with the minor students living in the hostel campus and disrupt their studies. They even sexually and physically assault the students by slapping and kicking them. The senior students take drugs and are addicted. When they see minor students passing by, they stop them and under the influence of drugs assault them sexually. During the winters, the accused snatch away their blankets and make them stand out in cold weather,” said Mr Kumar.

The torture doesn’t end here for the minors. According to the complaint, the designated school fees which is given to the visibly-challenged children for their medical and tuition fees, are also being misused by the accused to buy liquor and drugs, alleged the complainant.

“Despite court orders to evict the school’s hostel premises, the four former students have not vacated the hostel.,” read the complaint. The matter was brought up in court following which the court had ordered the Mandir Marg police to intervene,” read the complaint.

Following court orders to register a formal police complaint, a case under Sections 323, 341, 506 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered with the Mandir Marg police station on January 27.

“The police has taken up the case following the court orders and is questioning the suspected students of the Andh Mahavidyalay in this connection. A detailed probe has been initiated,” said an investigating official.