Ryan International School Murder: SC issues notice to Centre and CBI, Top officials arrested
The murder of a seven-year-old boy shocked the nation in the premises of Ryan International School. The seven-year old boy, Pradhyuman, was found in the pool of blood in school’s washroom over alleged sexual harassment attempt by the school driver’s bus conductor. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the CBI on a plea filed by the father. The top court says it will look into the safety of students in schools across India. Meanwhile, owners of Ryan International School in Gurugram have moved the Bombay High Court for anticipatory bail ahead of CEO Ryan Pinto’s questioning in connection with the case.
About 14 police teams constituted to probe the case, which has sparked the huge public outcry. The police is also questioning the school staff while SIT team is headed to Mumbai to interrogate school CEO Ryan Pinto and director Albert Pinto. Following interrogation, Gurgaon Police chief Sandeep Kharirwar said that the school’s legal head, Franchis Thomas and HR head Jeyus Thomas were arrested on Sunday night.
The acting principal, Neerja Batra is detained and is being questioned. She is likely to be arrested soon.
Taking action on the report of the three-member Special Investigative Team (SIT) indicated the lapses in security at Ryan International School. Gurgaon Police also swung into action after the matter came to the light and had arrested two top officials of the school under section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The district administration also asked the school to ensure safety in its premises and gave 15 days’ time to reply to a show cause notice.
All the branches of Ryan schools in Gurgaon are ordered to remain shut down on Monday and Tuesday on the directions of the district administration. Security has been beefed-up at the school as hundreds of parents stage protests outside the school in Gurgaon demanding a CBI probe into the murder.
The state government has directed the Gurgaon Police to book the owner of Ryan International Albert Pinto under the Juvenile Justice (care and punishment act) Act. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has asserted that there will be no leniency and the school management will be held accountable.