LG takes cognisance of sexual assault cases in schools

NEW DELHI: Taking cognisance of the recent incidents of sexual assault in schools in the NCR, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday wrote to Deputy chief Minister Manish Sisodia to urgently formulate and enforce guidelines to ensure safety and security of schoolchildren.

At the same time, Baijal directed Delhi Police to initiate action to brief and sensitise field level police officials to visit schools and advise school managements to implement certain safety and security measures in the interest of safety of students.

Meanwhile, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain also wrote to the LG demanding the case of the minor girl's sexual assault at Gandhinagar's Tagore Public School be transferred to Crime Branch, claiming that the police and the school have been harassing the victim's parents.

The move comes after Satyendar Jain received complaints through Gandhinagar MLA Anil Bajpai about alleged "inaction" by concerned authorities.

"The minister has written to the Lt. Governor demanding transfer of the rape case from local police to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police for fair and transparent investigation without harassing the victim's family," a senior government official said.

Earlier, the school's owner has reportedly pressurised the Chief Medical officer of Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitshal, which is why the officer did not take up case and transferred it to LNJP Hospital, said the official.

Jain also asked concerned police officials to suggest safety/security guidelines to be implemented by schools. These measures include verification of antecedents of security guards, support staff, employees, and employment of adequate number of security guards (preferably ex-servicemen or authorised private security agencies registered under the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act) security and safety audit of schools, installation of CCTV cameras at suitable points, proper illumination of dark spots, training modules, etc.

The LG suggested Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, that security measures listed by the police along with measures suggested by other stakeholders like DCPCR, CBSE and other agencies be considered for inclusion as a set of binding requirements for grant/continuation of recognition of schools under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules.

He stressed that the safety and security of the children cannot be compromised and has to be an essential condition to allow running of schools in Delhi.

Baijal also directed Delhi Police to waive off specified verification charges for character and antecedent verification of private individuals/agencies, in case of private school employees.

As such, the Education department was directed to advise all private recognised schools to avail this facility in a time bound manner.