On Wednesday, anger about the attack at the Janakpuri school got even worse because AAP leaders said the victim’s family are being threatened by the police. They also are wondering how the accused was let out on bail so quickly, considering the charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. To demand accountability and an investigation free from outside influence, the party protested outside the Raj Bhavan (the Governor’s house).
AAP says the mother of the girl who was attacked told police at the local station that officers have been harassing and putting pressure on her. The party believes that if this is true, it makes people lose faith in how the authorities in the city deal with sensitive cases involving children.
AAP steps up pressure at Raj Bhavan
Saurabh Bharadwaj, who leads AAP in Delhi, led female councilors in a demonstration at Raj Bhavan. The party said they asked for a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor (the Governor’s representative) through a letter and an email, to tell him their concerns directly.
A group that included Shelly Oberoi, a former mayor of Delhi, had a quick meeting with people at Raj Bhavan and were told the time for a full meeting would be sent to them by email. Councillors from all over the city joined to ask for someone to get involved quickly.
What AAP wants from authorities
AAP framed its protest around accountability and due process. The party outlined its immediate asks as follows:
– Action against police officers accused of intimidation
– A proper investigation free from external pressure
– Review of bail granted to the accused
– Action against the school administration
Bharadwaj said the most important thing the party wants is for the victim’s family to be safe, and for a really thorough investigation. He also said this case makes you think about how the police act in general, and what their responsibilities are as an organization.
Police actions and case timeline
The child’s mother made a complaint at the Janakpuri police station on May 1st. She said her three-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted while at school on April 30th, which was only her second day.
The police say the little girl said she was in pain after she got home and then told her mother she’d been taken to a secluded spot inside the school where the accused apparently assaulted her. She identified the person who did it as a 57-year-old caretaker at the school, and he was arrested on May 1st.
The accused went before a judge and was put in jail. However, a court in Dwarka gave him bail on May 7th, even though the lawyers for the government strongly opposed it. The police also stated they are looking at security camera footage from the school.
Political voices and public concern
Shelly Oberoi described the incident as very serious, and asked people in charge to make sure the child and her family get justice. She said the delegation arrived at Raj Bhavan around twelve o’clock, and later heard that the details of the meeting would be emailed.
AAP leaders said the purpose of the protest wasn’t just about this one incident, but to point out problems with the system. They feel that when a child and a school are involved in accusations like these, the authorities need to respond much faster.
Why it matters and what comes next
This case involves how safe children are at school, how well the police do their jobs, and how the courts work. Because of AAP’s accusations of intimidation and the quick bail, people are looking much more closely at how the system deals with sexual assault of children.
Now, things are happening in two ways. AAP is waiting to find out when they will meet with the Lieutenant Governor and continuing to ask for action against the police and the school. The police say they are still reviewing the CCTV footage as part of the investigation.
The party is firm that a believable and open investigation is necessary to get the public to trust the process again. They also want responsibility to be clearly assigned right away, and they say the family must be kept safe and have confidence throughout the whole thing.
