5 teachers and a junior clerk detained on rape charges

Patan, North Gujarat, Feb 4 (UNI) Five teachers and a junior clerk of a Primary Teachers Training College (PTC) were today arrested by police on charges of raping a Dalit girl student of the college.

Patan SP Raghvendra Vats told newspersons here that the 18- year -old Dalit girl was repeatedly raped by five teachers and a Junior clerk of the college and they threatend her with dire consequences.

The girl belongs to neighbouring Mehsana district.

The Role of a former principal and another employee of the college was also being investigated by the police.

According to the FIR filed by police, teachers Manish Parmar, Ashwin Parmar, Mahendra Prajapati, Dr Atul Patel (a PhD), Dr Kiran Patel (gold medalist) and Udaysingh Vaghela (Jr clerk) were arrested and charged under sections 376, 354 (rape) and 506 (threatening to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident came to light when the girl fell unconcious during the prayer at the college on February 1. She was rushed to a local hospital where, after primary examination and treatment she was advised to seek a psychiatrist's counselling.

During a session with the psychiatrist, she revealed that she was repeatedly raped by the teachers.

The girl also revealed that some other students also had been victimised and raped by the teachers. Parents of other girls gathered at the college and started questioning the teachers.

Some parents turned furious and beat up the teachers and one of the alleged rapist was admitted to a hospital.

Further investigations were on.

UNI XR HT OBB LPB HT2128