Five School Staff Arrested in Kendrapara After Class VII Girl Alleges Year-Long Rape
Odisha, Kendrapara — A disturbing case of alleged abuse inside a private English-medium school has led to the arrest of four teachers and a peon in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.
The accused were taken into custody on Saturday after a Class VII student alleged that she had been raped repeatedly for over a year.
The matter surfaced when the minor confided in her mother last month, breaking what police say was a prolonged silence shaped by fear and threats.
The family subsequently approached the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on February 18, seeking intervention.
Swift Action After Complaint
Members of the CWC visited the school the day after receiving the complaint and described the allegations as “highly sensitive.”
Following preliminary findings, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria confirmed that the victim’s statement has been recorded in accordance with legal procedures. “Five individuals associated with the school, named in the FIR, have been arrested and will be produced before the court,” he said.
Given the gravity of the case, senior officials from the district headquarters — including members of the Crime Against Women team — have been assigned to supervise the investigation.
“All legal processes are being strictly followed,” police sources added.
Allegations of Prolonged Abuse
According to the complaint, the girl was allegedly subjected to repeated rape over an extended period. The family has claimed that some members of the school staff were aware of the incidents and shielded those accused. It is also alleged that the child was warned against revealing what was happening to her.
The girl’s parents have accused the school management of failing to act despite being informed earlier. However, the school principal has refuted this claim, stating that the administration only became aware of the allegations after the complaint was lodged with the CWC.
“The truth will emerge after a detailed investigation,” the principal said.
A Question of Accountability
The case has sparked concern in the local community, raising questions about child safety, institutional responsibility, and oversight within educational spaces.
Schools are meant to be places of trust and protection — especially for minors — and any breach of that trust carries serious legal and moral consequences.
Authorities have indicated that the investigation will examine not only the specific acts alleged but also whether there were attempts to suppress complaints or intimidate the victim.
As the legal process unfolds, officials say the priority remains ensuring justice for the child and safeguarding her identity, as mandated under the POCSO Act.
The coming days will determine the direction of the case, but for now, the arrests signal that law enforcement intends to pursue the matter with seriousness and scrutiny.
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