Outrage as school turns away rape victim

Ademonstration broke out in Bihar after a leading English convent school refused to enrol a gang-rape survivor, saying such a move would damage the reputation of the institution.

According to reports, the victim went to the school in Gaya town, Bihar, seeking to be admitted as a Grade 8 student, on the recommendation of local authorities in the district.

The school’s refusal saw local residents rally, chanting slogans and denouncing the school’s principal.

“The local Gaya district magistrate had ordered her admission to the school but the principal refused to admit her,” local resident Om Yadav, who led the protest, said.

“This is very shameful and [a] further insult to the rape victim.”

Local authorities have since acted, slapping the school’s administration with a show-cause notice.

“We have served showcause notice on the school principal and have sought her clarification within two

Local authorities have since acted, slapping the school’s administration with a showcause notice.

days,” local sub-divisional officer Suraj Kumar said yesterday.

“Action will be taken after we get her reply.”

The girl, whose father is a medical practitioner, was raped by a group of men in June this year. According to police, the assailants stopped the doctor, who was carrying his wife and daughter on his motorbike.

They bound the doctor’s hands and feet, ignoring his offer of cash and valuables to save his family, and took turns to rape his daughter in front of him.

The traumatised family, which resided in the Guraru block, were forced to relocate to Gaya town following the rape.

Police have since arrested 20 people in connection with the rape.