The Delhi Police on Monday approached the Delhi High Court, seeking the cancellation of bail granted to a female teacher in connection with the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl by a staff member at a private school in west Delhi's Janakpuri area.
Court Proceedings
Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued a notice to the teacher on the police plea challenging the trial court's order dated May 20, which granted her bail in the case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court also allowed time for the main accused, Lalit Kumar, to file his response to the police plea challenging the bail granted to him by the trial court. Both matters are scheduled for hearing on June 17 before a vacation bench.
Role of the Teacher
The teacher was arrested for allegedly concealing the incident from the authorities. She was remanded to one day of police custody by the trial court on May 14.
Background of the Case
The case came to light on May 1 after the victim's mother filed a complaint at Janakpuri police station, alleging that her daughter had been sexually assaulted during school hours by the main accused, Lalit Kumar.
According to the complaint, the child attended school on April 30, which was her second day after admission. Upon returning home, she complained of pain. When questioned by her mother, the girl stated that she was taken to an isolated area in the school, where the man allegedly assaulted her.
Legal Provisions Invoked
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 64(1) (punishment for rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 (punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the POCSO Act.
Section 6 of the POCSO Act mandates a minimum punishment of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, which may extend to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Arrest and Bail of Main Accused
Police stated that the child identified the accused, leading to the arrest of the 57-year-old school caretaker on May 1. He was later sent to judicial custody after being produced before a court.
However, a court in Dwarka granted him bail on May 7, despite opposition from the prosecution. Earlier, Delhi Police had challenged the trial court's order granting bail to the caretaker, arguing that it was a “gross case” and that relief had been granted within days of the accused's arrest, even though the survivor identified him as the perpetrator.
(With PTI inputs)
