Bangalore: School attendant held for allegedly sexually assaulting three-year-old

Bangalore Police on Wednesday said that a school attendant has been arrested and sent to judicial custody for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-and-a half-year-old nursery student.

"One person by name Nagaraj, who was an attendant in the school has been arrested, he is accused in the case. He has been arrested, interrogated and he has been sent to the judicial custody," city Police Commissioner, M N Reddi, told media persons here.

Reddi said that as per the information provided by the mother of the child, the child had complained of sexual assault by one of the attendants in the school.

He said the incident occurred in East Bangalore, where the victim was allegedly sexually assaulted twice by the accused in October and November.

"On 22nd of October as well as 26th of November......But when the similar report was given by the child on the 26th of November, the mother suspected something serious and brought the matter to the knowledge of the police," Reddi said.

Reddi said that a case had been taken up under the POCSO (Protection of Children against Sexual Offences) Act as well as under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code.

A female police officer had also been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the investigation of this case, Reddi said, adding that the investigations would be conducted rapidly.

He added that the police were looking at the implementation of the security and safety measures in the school.

"Under POCSO Act any management or any controlling authority of an institution like a school or a hostel etc shall report the matter without delay to the police, but that has not been the case in this case. We are looking at the implementation of the security and safety measures in the school. We are doing a safety audit of the school, and if we find something is amiss, we will definitely take action," Reddi said.

At least four such incidents have taken place in Bangalore since July this year, leading to angry protests and widespread condemnation.