Sexual assualt case: Karna govt cracks down on institution

Bangalore, Oct 24: Acting tough, the Karnataka government has filed a cheating case against an institution, where a sexual assault on a three-and-a-half-year old girl student took place three days ago, besides booking it under the RTE Act.

Karnataka Public Instruction Commissioner Mohammed Mohsin said several cases were filed last night against the institution, for violating rules.

"We filed a case under section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 418 (cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may ensue to person whose interest offender is bound to protect) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code against "Orchids, The International School," he told PTI.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said ".. investigation is going on. We are doing it seriously." "I have told the police and the education department to initiate action against the management of the institution," he told reporters.

The school also has been booked under section 18 (5) of the RTE Act which stipulates that if a school operates without a certificate of recognition, it shall cease to function, Mohsin said.

It also shall be liable to pay a fine up to Rs one lakh, and in case of continuing violations, a fine of Rs 10,000 would be levied for each day that the violation continues. The school has been cheating people saying they are affiliated to CBSE and playing with the future of students there,he said.

"It has also been teaching CBSE syllabus without prior permission for the same. The school is not affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education," he added.

'Meanwhile, police are yet to arrest the culprit. "No arrests and detentions have been made so far in the case. However, we have interrogated many. We are doing our best to nab the culprit," Additional Commissioner (Law and Order) Alok Kumar said.

The school staff members were being questioned and the CCTV footage being examined by police, he said. A criminal case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 and IPC section 376 (rape) on a complaint from the child's father.

PTI