Jind: The silence of Haryana leaders, including those of the ruling party, over the case of sexual assault on 60 minor girls by a school principal in Jinddistrict has not gone down well with residents and social activists. Those who have not spoken out on the issue include deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, Hisar BJP MP Brijendra Singh, his father and former Union minister Birender Singh as well as former MLA Prem Lata Singh.Opposition leaders also refrained from condemning the incident. Local activists claimed that this has demoralised the girls, many of whom have stopped attending school.
“Political leaders are losing public faith. Punjab and Haryana high court should take suo moto cognisance of this serious crime committed by the principal, who had the responsibility of safety and security of girls in the school,” said Azad Palwa, a Jind-based farmer unionist who is fighting to secure justice for the girls.
The issue came to fore when 15 girls wrote a letter to the President, PM, CJI, National Commission for Women, state women commission and other dignitaries on August 31, accusing the school principal of committing sexual offences. The principal had been posted in the same school for the past six years.
Thereafter, the state women commission wrote to the Jind Police, seeking action against the accused. However, action was taken after one and a half months, when the victims reportedly contacted the commission again. Police lodged an FIR against the accused on October 30 and arrested him on November 4. He has been in judicial custody since November 7. Meanwhile, Jind Bar Association has announced that they will not defend the accused in court. Association president Devender Lohan said that advocates have decided to refrain from providing any relief to the accused principal.
Delegations meet parents
A delegation from the directorate of education department, led by HCS officer Amrita Singh amd comprising three members, reached the school on Thursday. Besides conducting inquiries, they met more than 60 parents and girls.
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