In a deeply disturbing incident that has raised serious concerns about child safety in educational institutions, an 11-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by four fellow students inside the bathroom of a government school in outer Delhi's Rohini area. The Delhi Police have swiftly apprehended all the suspects, whose ages range between 12 and 15 years.
The Harrowing Ordeal and Investigation
The case came to light after the school principal, along with the traumatised boy's parents, filed a formal complaint with the authorities. During the subsequent police investigation, the minor victim revealed a shocking pattern of abuse. He recounted being repeatedly sexually assaulted over a period of two months primarily by a 15-year-old student and his friends, all of whom attended the same school.
A senior police officer disclosed that the young boy did not report the horrific assaults earlier due to severe threats from the accused. The perpetrators allegedly used a knife to intimidate and silence him, instilling fear and preventing him from seeking help. In a further violation, the investigators confirmed that the assailants video-recorded the assaults and circulated the footage among their peers.
Exposure and Immediate Legal Action
The incident finally came to the fore when the illicit video footage reportedly reached a school teacher. This prompted immediate action, leading to the filing of the official complaint. Based on the evidence and statements, the police registered a case and took the four accused boys into custody.
The juveniles were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) for legal proceedings. After reviewing the grave matter, the JJB ordered that the children in conflict with law (CCLs) be sent to the Observation Home for Boys. Their custody has been mandated until December 19 as the investigation continues.
A Worrying Pattern of Similar Cases
This incident is not isolated and highlights a deeply concerning pattern of such crimes occurring in and around schools in the national capital. In a similar case reported in July, a 14-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a school washroom in central Delhi. The victim's parents became aware only when the boy complained of pain and recounted his ordeal.
In another tragic instance from April, a 14-year-old boy from Uttarakhand, who had travelled to Delhi to participate in a national-level sports event, was allegedly sexually assaulted and filmed by a group of boys at a sports club in northwest Delhi. These repeated incidents underscore an urgent need for robust child protection mechanisms and safer environments within educational and recreational spaces.
