IDUKKI: Kanjar police on Thursday arrested a staff of a blind school near Thodupuzha in Idukki on charges of sexually abusing a partially blind minor girl of the school. The arrest was based on a complaint filed by Kerala Federation of the Blind (KFB) before the DGP.
Police said the incident happened during 2016-20 period. The girl was a student of the school where the accused, a 36-year-old Pothanikkad resident, was working as a watcher-cum-sweeper. As per the complaint, he sexually abused her during the period.
Recently, the girl shared the ordeal with one of her friends and he informed the issue to the school manager and woman matron. But it was allegedly the school manager, the accused’s friend, who had arranged a settlement over the issue. To solve the issue, the accused had sent Rs 50,000 to the girl’s friend through an account. The issue came to light after KFB filed the complaint.
Thodupuzha deputy SP A G Lal said, “A case has been registered against him under IPC Sections 364 and 364 (A) and Pocso sections 7,8,9 and 10. The probe is going on over the intervention of the school manager and others to hide the issue. If needed, we will register case against them.”
“The girl opened up about the issue after counselling with Kanjar circle inspector Solgimon-led team,” said the officer.
Meanwhile, school authorities said that there were no lapses from their part.
When asked about the incident, the girl and her parents denied it and provided a statement before the school that they have no such complaint.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
