A serious security lapse at a prominent school in Surat's Utran area led to a 15-year-old hostel student being handed over to a 25-year-old man who falsely claimed to be her guardian. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has raised major questions about child safety protocols in educational institutions.
The Deception and Handover
The alarming sequence of events began on Sunday morning. The accused man contacted the hostel authorities, informing them that the girl's grandfather had passed away and that she needed to return home immediately. Around 8 am, the girl was reportedly handed over to the man at the hostel gate without proper verification of his identity or his claim of guardianship. The school hostel is located on the same campus as the educational institution.
Discovery and Police Action
The situation came to light in the evening when the girl did not return to the hostel. Concerned staff members contacted her parents, who revealed they had not received their daughter and clarified that no death had occurred in the family. The parents, during their search, discovered that the man—who was known to the girl—was also untraceable. They immediately approached the Utran police station and lodged a formal complaint of abduction.
The Utran police have registered a case against the accused under charges of abduction and sexual harassment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused is currently absconding, and a search is underway.
Girl's Statement and Return
According to a Utran police officer, the girl stated that she went with the accused and spent the night in a garden in Bardoli. She has denied any untoward incident. However, she was sent for a medical examination as part of standard procedure. Facing intensified searches by police and family members, the man dropped the girl back at the hostel on Monday morning.
Conflicting Claims on Procedure
When contacted, the school management presented a different version, claiming proper procedure was followed. A management official stated that the girl herself had provided the accused's phone number to hostel authorities as a guardian contact, leading them to assume he was a legitimate guardian. The official added that they learned from the girl's friend in the evening that she had not gone with her parents. Subsequently, the parents were informed to take the girl back as she had violated hostel rules.
This incident has sparked serious concerns about the verification protocols in place at school hostels across the country, highlighting a gap that could be exploited to endanger children. The police investigation continues as they work to apprehend the accused.
