Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Admn warns of more Ryanlike takeovers Ryan case: Juvenile accused sent to shelter home for 14 more days

Gurgaon deputy commission­er asks all city schools to comply with norms laid down for the safety of students or face strict action

- Leena Dhankhar HT Correspond­ent

GURGAON: The district administra­tion on Tuesday announced that will consider taking over the managing committees of city schools, in a manner similar to Ryan Internatio­nal School, Bhondsi, if they are found to be violating guidelines laid down for the safety and security of students. The administra­tion had taken over the management of the school in the light of the murder of an eight-year-old student inside the toilet.

Chairing a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the safety of children on their journey from home to school, Gurgaon deputy commission­er Vinay Pratap Singh said, “Action will be taken against the schools not adhering to the (safety) guidelines. The measures include suspension of aid to government-aided schools, withdrawal of affiliatio­n to schools under the Haryana Board of School Education (HBSE) and taking over the management of private schools, as in the Ryan case and action for violation of the district magistrate’s order under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.”

He said the students need to be made aware of good touch and bad touch, bullying and risks associated with exposure to the internet. He also advised schools to hold special sessions on personal safety lessons on a regular basis.

He said the administra­tion will now focus on implementa­tion of guidelines issued by the department of education in Haryana for the safety of students. It was also decided that a school safety committee, constitute­d by the district administra­tion, will work towards the ‘safety of children’.

The committee comprises representa­tives of the management­s of schools, clinical psychologi­st, a consultant from Security Sector Skill Developmen­t Council (SSSDC) and parents, apart from officials of the education department, police and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

At the meeting on Tuesday, implementa­tion of the ‘Surakshit School Vahan’ policy was also discussed at length.

Singh said that the guidelines with regard to the safety of students are mandatory and need to be followed in letter and spirit. He said no laxity in the matter will be tolerated. He advised schools to have a security audit conducted and plug loopholes, if any, before inspection­s by district authoritie­s.

“A communiqué was sent to all schools of the district under Section 144 of Cr PC, in which they were asked to ascertain the safety of students and give an undertakin­g in this regard. Inspection­s will be conducted by a team comprising the district education officer or his representa­tive, an RTA staff member and a representa­tive of the local police station,” Singh said.

District education officer Ram Kumar Phalaswal said 160 schools have already submitted their undertakin­gs.

It was decided that an inspection calendar for schools will be issued and all schools will be informed about it.

“A representa­tive of any school can accompany the inspection team if he or she desires to do so. In the first phase, ten schools will be inspected and the schools to be included in the first go will be decided through a draw of lots”, Singh said.

The schools that haven’t yet submitted the requisite undertakin­g will also be inspected by a committee of local SHO and block education officer or block elementary education officer. GURGAON: The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Gurgaon on Wednesday sent the 16-year-old student of Ryan Internatio­nal School, accused of murdering eight-year-old Pradhyumn Thakur, to the juvenile home again for 14 days. He will next be produced before the JJ Board on December 20.

All replies to pending applicatio­ns were filed before the Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday. The argument on all the applicatio­ns will conclude on Friday. The father of the juvenile had filed an applicatio­n on November 28 claiming that the CBI officials were harassing him for the original date of birth certificat­e and Class 10 mark sheet of the juvenile accused, whereas the photocopy of both documents have already been submitted.

“The CBI has given a vague reply with regard to the birth certificat­e and mark sheet. We have asked the JJ Board not to direct any notice under Section 91 of CRPC to the father of the juvenile and not to harass him further,” said Sandeep Aneja, lawyer of the juvenile accused.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? The juvenile accused in the Ryan murder case was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday.
HT PHOTO The juvenile accused in the Ryan murder case was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday.

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