Chaos erupted in Rajasthan’s Pali district as villagers descended upon a private school, vandalising its premises and confronting the school’s management. The outburst stemmed from allegations that the school administration had shielded a teacher accused of raping a four-year-old Dalit girl.
The villagers were angry with the school’s alleged involvement in protecting the accused teacher. The accused, identified as 23-year-old Ravi Vagoriya, was employed as a teacher at the private school.
The incident purportedly took place on September 22 when Vagoriya allegedly raped the four-year-old girl. The family of the girl claimed that they promptly informed the school principal about the incident. However, instead of taking appropriate action against the accused teacher, the principal purportedly attempted to suppress the matter.
The child’s mother recounted the horrifying ordeal, saying, “While I was taking my girl back after she relieved herself, I saw her bleeding. I asked the principal about it. She mentioned that some sharp object may have pierced.”
A group of furious villagers converged on the school, venting their anger by vandalising the school premises. School furniture was thrown around and the school manager was allegedly assaulted, forcing him to seek refuge in a nearby house.
Police have initiated legal action, registering a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused teacher has been taken into custody pending further investigation.
Rajasthan Child Rights Protection Commission Chairperson Sangeeta Beniwal took cognisance of the matter and directed the District Education Officer and Superintendent of Police to furnish a comprehensive report within three days.
