Bhubaneswar/Kendrapara: Crime Branch of Odisha Police has placed the alleged gang rape of a Class VII student at a private English-medium school in Kendrapara district under its “red flag” category, a source said Sunday.
While the investigating officer will remain the same, the Crime Against Women & Children Wing (CAW&CW) of the crime branch-CID will monitor the case, a police officer said.
The ‘Red Flag’ category, introduced in 2014, applies to serious crimes against women, such as rape and murder, to ensure immediate attention and top-priority investigation.
Notably, five staff members, including four teachers, of the private school have been arrested for allegedly raping the 13-year-old girl, police said. The arrests were made Saturday after the father of the student and the district child welfare committee lodged separate complaints at Rajkanika police station.
According to police, the girl’s parents approached the child welfare committee after their daughter accused the teachers of sexually abusing her over a prolonged period. The committee conducted a preliminary inquiry before bringing the matter to police.
“A complaint was lodged February 18. After a 48-hour investigation, we referred the case to police for legal action,” child welfare committee member Swagatika Patra said.
The panel also directed the district education officer to conduct a separate inquiry into the allegations.
“The accused teachers were arrested on the basis of preliminary investigation. Further probe is underway,” Rajkanika police station inspector-in-charge Sanjay Mallick said.
In a related development, the opposition BJD submitted a memorandum to the Kendrapara superintendent of police, demanding stringent action against the accused.
PNN & Agencies
