In a disturbing incident that came to light on Tuesday, a Class 7 student from a government model school in Chandigarh was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault by five boys, one of whom was her classmate. The incident, which occurred outside the school premises and after school hours, was brought to the attention of the authorities when the victim confided in one of her teachers. The school promptly informed the police, and a case was registered on May 18. The accused boys, aged between 13 and 15, reportedly blackmailed the 13-year-old girl into silence, threatening her due to an unrelated accusation of theft. After one of the boys committed the initial crime, he divulged the details to his friends, who subsequently took turns raping the victim at different locations in Chandigarh, including a park.
The police, citing the sensitivity of the case, remained tight-lipped but disclosed that all five accused were apprehended and subsequently sent to a juvenile home on Sunday. The school authorities promptly alerted the district education officer, the deputy DEO, and the Childline helpline about the incident on May 18. The girl and her family were called to the school, and with the assistance of Childline officials, they lodged a complaint at the police station. The accused boys have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) has assigned a counselor to support and assist the victim. A special Bal Adalat, focused on child-related issues and the provisions of the POCSO Act, was organized at the school on the same day the case was registered.
While the victim did not disclose the incident during the session, the CCPCR conducts regular programs in schools to educate students about child protection. The education department emphasized that schools are required to promptly report such cases, and counseling services are provided to encourage students to come forward and seek assistance. The investigation into this heinous crime continues, and efforts are being made to provide the victim with the necessary support and counseling to aid her recovery.