Minor schoolgirl raped by vice-principal, teacher at Silvassa; both accused held

Silvassa: A 14-year-old girl student was allegedly raped by two teachers of her school, including the vice-principal, at Silvassa in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, who have been arrested, also threatened the minor girl and warned her of dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to others, they said.

A case was registered against the duo at the Silvassa police station under sections 376 (2)(f)(n) (for rape on a minor), 376 D (gang-rape), 377 (unnatural intercourse) and 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) for aggravated sexual assault among others, and also the Information Technology Act, Superintendent of Police RP Meena said in a statement.

"The victim complained that the accused vice-principal and the teacher repeatedly sexually assaulted her in the school and threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone," he said.

Also read | Over 13,000 students died by suicide last year: NCRB Report 2021

An FIR (first information report) was lodged on August 29, and her statement was recorded and medical examination conducted, the police officer said. Both the accused were arrested the same day and produced before a local court, which sent them to police custody till September 3, he said.

"The mobile phones of the two accused persons have been seized and they will be sent for forensic examination. Efforts were being made to find out if any other teacher had a role in the incident. Further investigation was underway," Meena said. Meanwhile, the administration of the Union Territory issued an order on Tuesday, saying the private school shall remain closed until further notice.