A gruesome case of child sexual abuse came to light after an 11-year-old student of the Kaushalya World School in Greater Noida told his mother that he had been sodomised by a school employee.
The boy alleged that he had been sexually abused on the school premises by an administrator – identified as Ashok Mishra – on a number of occasions over the last four years.
Speaking to The Quint, the 11-year-old’s mother said that she informed the police immediately. But the Kaushalya World School authorities tried to defend the accused, she alleged.
“They want to save their image,” she said.
My son thankfully had the courage to tell me whatever happened and we directly reported to the police. My child was sexually abused for the past four years.Victim’s Mother
On 23 October, the child’s family filed a police complaint. The accused, Ashok Mishra, was arrested two days later, based on the child’s testimony.
A senior official of Uttar Pradesh police confirmed to The Quint that Ashok Mishra had confessed to sexually abusing the child.
School Denies Shielding Accused
When The Quint contacted Mukta Misra, the Director Principal of the Kaushalya World School, she denied having defended the accused. “I am extending my full support to the victim’s family. It would be incorrect to say that I am defending anyone, we are ready to cooperate in the police investigation,” she said. The school suspended the accused on 24 October and has set up a six-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter, Misra said.
Also Read: Raped and Pregnant at 10, Her Story Echoes Rohtak Child Survivor’s
When asked about accused Ashok Mishra’s job profile at the school, the Principal said that he looked after the administrative work and was the head of the school’s media cell.
Ashok Mishra or anyone who is engaged in a school administrative job didn’t have access to the main building where classes are held. They can access the building only with special permission. I really don’t know how this happened.Mukta Misra, Principal, Kaushalya World School, Greater Noida
She also expressed shock over the allegations. “I am shocked because Ashok Mishra had always been polite to students. I don’t understand how he could be abusing the child for so many years,” she said.
“They Asked Us About Our Nationality”
The 11-year-old’s mother is Indian, while his father is Nigerian. He was born in India. His mother said that while the Uttar Pradesh Police promptly registered a case of sodomy, they made the family uncomfortable by asking them a number of questions about their nationality.
They (police) asked if my husband is an Indian national. I said I’m married and I’ve been living in India forever. Since we got married, we’ve been living in India. They tried to find out if my husband is staying here legally or illegally – you know those kind of questions. Does it matter? We are Indian citizens already. My child was born in India.Victim’s Mother
“My Son Was Targeted Because He Is a Quiet Child”
The child’s mother alleged that Ashok Mishra had sexually abused the 11-year-old as recently as September this year.
She told The Quint that earlier this week, she noticed that her son had grown quiet and withdrawn. When the child stopped interacting much with those around him, she decided to investigate. It was then that the child opened up about the trauma he had undergone, the mother said said.
The accused took advantage of the student’s quiet nature, she alleged.
The accused told the police that he selected my son because he was very quiet.Victim’s Mother
“My child doesn’t complain. Even his teachers have told me that he doesn’t have the habit of complaining,”she said. She alleged that the accused threatened her son into keeping the sexual abuse hidden for four years.
I asked my son why he hid this for so many years. He said the man told him ‘your parents will beat you if you tell them’. The man said he wouldn’t tell anyone about it. My child said that he would forget about it after he came home. He is a very playful boy.Victim’s Mother
The 11-year-old is still in a state of trauma, his mother said. She claims the accused did everything he could to manipulate and control the boy’s emotions.
(This is a developing story.)
Also Read:
7-Year-Old Girl Raped and Dumped Outside Police Station in Lucknow
Kerala Pastor Gets Life Term Until Death for Second Child Rape
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)