A 57-year-old school caretaker, arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl on school premises in west Delhi, has been granted bail by a Dwarka court. The court noted that CCTV footage placed him away from the crime scene at the time of the alleged incident, and the child's medical examination revealed no injuries.
Court's Observations
Police had opposed the bail plea, arguing that the accusations were serious and fell under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, during the bail hearing on May 7, the Dwarka sessions court examined the medical and electronic evidence. Referring to the medico-legal certificate of the child, the court observed that “no injury or redness or any other mark was found on the body of the child victim, including her private part.”
CCTV Evidence
Reviewing the CCTV footage, the court noted that the accused had left the junior wing of the school—where the alleged incident took place—at 8:37 am and did not return afterward. The defense submitted that the caretaker had been employed at the school for over three decades with no prior complaints against him.
Without commenting on the merits of the allegations, the court concluded that further custodial interrogation of the accused was unnecessary. However, it directed him to stay away from the school premises until the trial concludes.
Background of the Case
On May 1, the child fell ill and informed her mother about the alleged assault that occurred on April 30. Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR under Section 64 (punishment for rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under the POCSO Act. The child identified the caretaker, leading to his arrest. However, the court found insufficient evidence to support continued detention.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault.)
