In Ajmer, Rajasthan, a class 12 student from a private school was barred from attending her board examinations by the school principal. The reason cited was her alleged gang-rape, with the principal claiming that her presence would “spoil the atmosphere” of the school.
Officials revealed that the school took the extreme step of removing her name and issuing a transfer certificate, thereby preventing her from appearing for her board examinations. The victim and her father sought help from the District Child Welfare Committee’s president, Anjali Sharma, after being left in distress.
According to Sharma, the victim’s ordeal began when she was allegedly gang-raped in October of the previous year, leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. However, instead of receiving support, the school principal instructed her not to attend classes, citing concerns about the school’s atmosphere.
Despite the victim’s attempts to reconnect with her school before the half-year exams in December, she was informed that her name had been removed. Consequently, she was unable to take her final board examinations.
The District Education Officer, Om Shankar Verma, confirmed that an inquiry conducted by the education department revealed that the school had acted against regulations by issuing the transfer certificate forcefully. The inquiry report will be forwarded to the director for further action.
