The Hindu : Front Page : Probe into Patan college gang rape

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Probe into Patan college gang rape

Manas Dasgupta

Six teachers have been arrested

Victim says she was gang-raped 14 times in last 6 months
Bandh in Patan town; protest rallies held in many places

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the alleged gang rape of a girl student of the government primary teachers’ training college at Patan by her own teachers.

The incident triggered protests and condemnation all over the State.

Six teachers, who were arrested after they were manhandled and beaten up by parents of girl students and others, have been granted seven-day remand by a local court.

Teachers suspended

On the orders of the government, all seven teachers named by the victim, a Scheduled Caste student, have been placed under suspension. The police are looking for the other teacher.

The victim said she was gang-raped at least 14 times during the last six months in the college laboratory and computer room, where she was summoned under a threat that her career would be ruined by denial of internal assessment marks.

The government sanctioned a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the girl for showing the courage to expose the scandal.

Just one woman teacher

What shocked people was that all teachers in the training college for girls were male, except one woman who joined the institution just a couple of months ago.

Minister’s assurance

Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel, who represents Patan in the Assembly, visited the college and assured the aggrieved parents that the government would as far as possible appoint only women teachers in training colleges for girls.

On a call given by the parents, Patan town observed a total bandh.

Rallies were taken out in the neighbouring Banaskantha district headquarters town of Palanpur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and many other places demanding exemplary punishment to the guilty.

Shameful act: Modi

Chief Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident as the most “shameful act” and promised all necessary steps for protection of girl students.

Pradesh Congress president Bharat Solanki said it was a pointer to the deteriorating law and order situation and exposed the hollowness of the government’s claim of safety for women.

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