Rohtak lawyer to defend Ryan murder accused

Gurugram: Bus conductor Ashok Kumar, accused for murdering 7-year-old Pradhyuman in the washroom of Ryan International School, Bhondsi, will be defended by advocate Mohit Verma.

The advocate from the Bar Association of Rohtak came forward after its branch from Sohna and Gurugram expressed reluctance in defending the accused.

Even though the Gurugram police have sought a time limit till September 16 for filing the charge sheet in the case, there is now growing scepticism over a cover-up and Kumar being framed.

Meanwhile, defending his client, Verma said, "There seems to be a big cover up in the case. Those involved in the crime are being shielded and the scapegoats are being framed."

Taking note of the complexities in the case, parents of Pradhyuman along with other agitating parents are demanding for the CBI inquiry into the case.

"There is definitely more than what meets the eye. The way my son was murdered in the span of just 10 minutes shows that it may not have been a spontaneous act but a pre-meditated one," said Barun Thakur, father of Pradhyuman.

His colleague driver Saurav said, "There was no expression of him being worried and scared on Friday. I have been working with him for five months and he never showed any violent instinct. However, it takes minutes for a man to turn into beast."

While many may have pronounced Ashok as a killer, many from his village in Ghamroj, Sohna have been stoic in face of adversity and supported him. Facing financial distress, his family also have not let their trust waiver.

Father of two children, one of his sons has recently fractured his hand while the other is suffering from kidney stones. His wife works as a sweeper in one of the schools.

Meanwhile, the police remand for Kumar, has been extended for six days by the Sohna court.

Further, the case has been transferred to special court in Gurugram where he will be produced next on September 18. Kumar who was working in the school for eight months was detained by the Gurugram police on Friday morning, the day of the crime and later arrested.

Based on statements of Gurugram police, Ashok attempted to sexually assault Pradhyuman in the washroom, however, as the seven-year-old raised the alarm, the conductor slit his throat and killed him.

The post mortem report has also revealed that the Class-II student was not sexually assaulted and he did not have marks on his body.

Gurugram police finally have begun to take action against the management of Ryan International School after the report by the three member special investigating team (SIT) indicted its school in Bhondsi of glaring lapses. Two senior officials from the management namely Francis Thomas and Jeyus Thomas were arrested late Sunday night.

They were produced in the Sohna court where they were remanded to two-day police custody and charged under Section-75 of the juvenile justice act. If convicted, they can be sentenced to maximum punishment of 10 years.