M A I N   N E W S

German student sexually assaulted?
Ambika Sharma

Solan, April 11
A German girl studying in Class IX at Lawrence School, Sanawar, was reportedly sexually assaulted by a group of four boys, three of whom were students of the same school, at a local hotel in Kasauli on March 21. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Abhishek Trivedi, ordered an inquiry today on receiving information about the incident. The inquiry with conducted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Parwanoo.

Inquiries made by The Tribune, however, revealed, that the girl had procured a working out pass to go out on March 21. While three other boys of the school studying in Class XI and XII including an old student, who were travelling in a car had booked a room at a local hotel. The girl joined them at the hotel a little later. The DSP, Mr Surinder Verma, revealed that while the hotel authorities confirmed that a room had been booked by the school students they said no girl was seen accompanying them. But added that since there was a lot of rush in the hotel they could have missed spotting the girl. They, however, confirmed that when the boys came out around 1.30 p.m a girl was seen with them.

Police officials revealed that they later nabbed three boys who were wearing uniform of Lawrence School, Sanawar, along with a school girl, who was drunk, on the Jangeshu road. When the police intercepted them the boys said that they were trying to help her. The policemen, who noted down the names of the boys, later took the girl to the school and handed them over to the school authorities around 2.30 p.m. The school authorities, however, said they would verify the matter after conducting an inquiry. The girl was later admitted to the school hospital.

The Headmaster of the school could not be contacted as he was away to Delhi. However, the school Estate Officer, Col Nautiyaal (retd) who was present in the school said an inquiry had been conducted into the matter by the school authorities. He added that the girl had left for Germany within a week of the incident after receiving a written requisition from her parents. Sources, however, revealed that a Patiala-based boy, studying in Class XII who was involved in the incident had been rusticated from the school on charges of having smoked on the school premises while the other was still studying in the school. A police team led by the DSP today visited the school to inquire into the matter.