Siddarth Sethia
The owner of a residential school and his wife have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting minor girls at their institution in Devanahalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
The accused have been identified as Dhananjay,the school owner,and his wife Shailaja.
Based on a complaint filed by the parents of the victims, a case has been registered at the Devanahalli Police Station.
Senior officer told reporters that, two minor girls residing at the school alleged that Dhananjay would enter their hostel rooms at night, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, and subject them to sexual assault.The victims further stated that he would sometimes call them to the warden’s room and abuse them.
The girls reportedly informed Shailaja about the alleged incidents.
However,she allegedly supported her husband and warned the minors not to disclose the matter to anyone, the complaint stated.
The couple is also accused of threatening the girls and preventing them from informing their parents about the incidents.
The victims alleged that they were not allowed to step out of the hostel premises for nearly eight days and were stopped from making phone calls to their families.
It was only recently that the girls managed to contact their parents and reveal the alleged abuse.Upon learning about the incident, the parents rushed to the school and later lodged a complaint with the police.
The residential school reportedly houses more than 700 students.Dhananjay is also said to be associated with a private unaided schools’association.
Police have registered a case against the couple under relevant sections of the POCSO.
