According to police reports on August 19, a girl was sexually assaulted and at least a dozen others were sexually abused at what was later revealed to be a fraudulent National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.
Eleven individuals have been arrested concerning the incident, including the camp organiser, the school principal, two teachers, and a correspondent.
Investigations revealed that the private school did not have an NCC unit. A group had approached the school management, falsely claiming that hosting the camp would qualify them for one. The school did not conduct background checks on the group before permitting them to run the camp. A total of 41 students, including 17 girls, took part in the three-day camp held earlier this month.
The girls were housed in the school auditorium on the first floor, while the boys were on the ground floor. No teachers were designated to supervise the camp. The girls reported being lured out of the auditorium and sexually assaulted.
District Superintendent of Police P Thangadurai was quoted in news reports as saying, “The school authorities were aware of the sexual offences but chose to suppress the matter rather than report it to the police. The students were allegedly instructed not to take it seriously.”
Police are also investigating whether the group behind the fake NCC camp has organised similar camps at other schools. The accused face charges under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Medical examinations have been carried out on the girls, and the District Child Welfare Committee has begun taking action. This case unfolds amidst nationwide outrage over the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital.
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