Panaji rape: Headmistress directed teacher to wash victim

The headmistress of the Panaji school, who has been booked for destruction of evidence in the rape of a seven-year-old girl on the school premises, had directed the teacher to clean up the victim post the offence, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the state Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

"During the investigation, it was revealed that the headmistress directed the class teacher to wash the victim, to avoid any infection," Parrikar told the House, responding to the Calling Attention motion moved by independent legislator Vijay Sardesai.

The girl was allegedly raped in a school toilet in Vasco town on January 14 by a middle-aged person.

The headmistress had been already booked for negligence and destruction of evidence, while the accused is still at large.

The chief minister said the accused was seen thrice before committing the crime in the school.

"The accused was warned by the headmistress after he was seen loitering in the school. But he continued to remain in the school premises and was seen peeping inside the classroom," he said.

The girl had a knee injury and hence did not go to play during recess, he said.

"When the recess bell rang and students ran out of the class, the suspected accused was seen moving away (from outside the class)," the chief minister said, adding that the accused committed the offence in the girls' toilet between 10.35 and 10.50 am, during the recess time.

Parrikar told the Assembly that police have made all efforts to establish the identity of the accused by conducting enquiries at places like hair cutting salons and mobile recharging shops.

 "The case is being investigated from all angles," he added.