TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 30, 2024: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, led by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, held a press conference today to address concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, with a particular focus on a recent molestation incident at Bhilai’s DPS School.
Baghel condemned the rising crime rates, emphasizing the increase in violent incidents such as gang rape, theft, robbery, and murder, and pointed out that women and girls are increasingly unsafe, even in schools. “A serious incident of molestation of an innocent girl occurred at Bhilai’s DPS school on July 5, 2024. The police’s handling of the case, particularly the role of the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Durg, has been highly questionable,” Baghel stated.
According to Baghel, the incident involved a young girl who was allegedly molested at school. When she was taken to a pediatrician on the day of the incident, the doctor noted injuries to her private parts. Despite her deteriorating condition and a second doctor’s suspicion of molestation, the school authorities took no action, and the girl’s parents were left without support.
On August 2, concerned parents protested outside the school, demanding justice. However, the following day, the SP of Durg publicly dismissed the molestation claims, labeling media reports as false and misleading. “The SP’s response has been deeply troubling,” Baghel said, noting that the SP’s own children attend the school, raising concerns about a conflict of interest.
Baghel called for a high-level investigation into the case, emphasizing that the SP’s conduct has been irresponsible and protective of the accused. “Under the POCSO Act, an FIR should have been filed immediately, followed by an investigation. The SP’s refusal to do so and his denial of the incident without proper inquiry is a clear violation of the law,” he added.
Other Congress leaders echoed Baghel’s concerns. Former President Dhanendra Sahu demanded an impartial investigation into the roles of both the school principal and the SP, suggesting that both should face strict legal consequences if found guilty of concealing the crime. “Under the POCSO Act, those who hide the crime are as guilty as the perpetrators themselves,” Sahu remarked.
Former Minister Ravindra Choubey further criticized the state’s law enforcement, describing Raipur as a “crime capital” where daily incidents of murder, robbery, and other violent crimes occur unabated. He accused the police of neglecting their duty to control crime, instead focusing on political agendas under the BJP government.
The press conference was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including Satyanarayan Sharma, former ministers Dr. Shivkumar Daharia and Amarjeet Bhagat, and AICC secretary Vikas Upadhyay, among others. They collectively urged for immediate government action to address the rising crime rates and to ensure justice in the Bhilai school molestation case.
