Parents of 7-yr-old allege she was sexually assaulted at

Parents of a seven-year-old girl in Chhattisgarh's Raipur district have alleged that she was sexually assaulted at her school.

The police, however, said rape or attempt to rape was not established in the preliminary investigation.

The alleged incident took place at a private school on the outskirts of the city on April 18, Raipur Superintendent of Police Amresh Mishra told PTI.

An FIR under IPC section 376 (rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered on April 19 based on the parents' complaint, he said.

"So far, the medical examination report, CCTV footage at the school and the girl's statement recorded by the CWC (Child Welfare Committee) has not given any evidence supporting the claim of attempted rape," the SP said.

Even the detailed medical examination of the girl conducted today ruled out rape or attempt to rape, he said.

However, the possibility that she was groped by someone can not be ruled out, he said, adding that a team led by an Additional Superintendent of Police was probing the case.

As per the complaint, when the girl returned home on April 18, the first day of school, her mother noticed blood on her private parts. The girl allegedly told the parents that a senior student, a boy, took her to a washroom and touched her inappropriately.

The girl's father alleged that the school management tried to suppress the incident by tampering with CCTV and burning the girl's undergarment, and the CWC manipulated her statement.

Speaking to media, a member of the school management denied that such an incident happened at the school, but said a strict action will be taken if any evidence is found during the police investigation.