TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
VASCO: The shocking sexual assault of the seven-year-old schoolgirl in a Vasco school on Monday has taken a twist, with the victim’s parents alleging that the school authorities had washed the bloodstains and the innerwear of the victim, before even notifying the police of the sexual assault.
Accusing the teachers of attempting to tamper the evidence, the parents also blamed the headmistress for failing to immediately notify the police.
Speaking to Herald, the victim’s father said the incident on Monday had taken place while he was away in Margao.
“The headmistress called me stating that my daughter was sick. Since I was far away, I told the headmistress that I would send my wife. Accordingly, I contacted my neighbour to ask him to convey the news to my wife and to request her to proceed to the school,” said the father.
“Had the headmistress informed me of the actual facts, I would have rushed back to Vasco and I would have attended to my daughter. The headmistress should also have lodged a police complaint immediately after calling me, as she knew what exactly had happened to my daughter,” the father added.
The victim’s mother added, “Before I could reach the school, the teachers had washed the bloodstains from my girl. The teacher had also washed her innerwear to tamper the evidence,” alleged the girl’s mother.
She further claimed that the school had informed the police about the crime only after washing the bloodstains and the innerwear.
When asked if they were under any pressure to refrain from filing a police complaint, the mother clarified that there was no move by the school authority to hush up the case, as the school had assured to file a complaint in the matter.
Meanwhile, the parents have requested the protesters to allow the police and the government to carry on their investigation into the sexual assault on their daughter.
When contacted, Mormugao Deputy Superintendent of Police Lawrence D’Souza said he was unaware of the allegations by the parents and declined to comment on the details, stating that more information would be available from the crime branch.
