Bengaluru: School director, Principal arrested in minor girl sexual assault case

, Nov 1: The Principal and Director of a city school, where a six-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted, were arrested today as government warned of tough action against managements flouting safety norms for children.

The two of Cambridge School were arrested under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), Additional Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar told PTI here.

This is the third arrest in the incident in which the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted twice in the school premises on October 28 and 29. Hindi teacher Jayashankar was arrested yesterday after "admitting" to the crime, according to police.

After sexual assaults of minor girls in schools in the city, Bengaluru police had recently come out with safety guidelines to be observed to ensure safety of children in educational institutions. Meanwhile, amid public outrage over sexual assaults on minor girls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned managements that permission granted to their schools would be revoked and criminal cases filed against them if they violate guidelines for safety of children.

"Sexual assaults on minor girls have made the civil society hang its head in shame. Even beasts don't behave like this. It is inhuman and condemnable," he said as public anger grew over the latest sexual assault in the fourth such incident in as many months in schools here.

As recurring incidents brought his government in the line of fire, Siddharamaiah said at a function here that "once the children enter the school, it is the responsibility of the institution to provide all safety measures to a boy or a girl."

The latest incident comes just five days after an office assistant in a school here was arrested for sexual assault of a three-and-a-half-year girl studying in nursery. An eight-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by her 63-year-old teacher inside her school premises over a period of time. The offence came to light in early August, barely a month after the rape of a six-year-old girl at 'Vibgyor High' school here which led to street protests.

PTI