A six-year-old girl in Gujarat, India, was reportedly suffocated to death by her primary school principal after she resisted his rape attempts. The tragic incident occurred on 19 September in Singvad taluka village, Dohad district. The girl’s body was discovered within the school compound later that day.
Background
The principal, Govind Nat, 55, encountered the girl and her mother while driving and agreed to take the child to school at her mother’s request around 10:20 am on 19 September, according to police superintendent Rajdeepsinh Zala. However, students and teachers reported that the girl did not attend school that day.
The confession
During initial questioning, Govind claimed he had dropped the girl off at school. However, he eventually confessed to attempting to rape her on their way to school. When the girl resisted and screamed, he allegedly covered her mouth and nose, suffocating her. Govind then parked his car at the school and dumped her body behind the school building at 5 pm. He placed her school bag and slippers in her classroom to create the illusion that she had attended school.
Discovery and arrest
When the girl did not return home after school, her parents and relatives searched the school premises and found her body within the compound. Govind was arrested on 19 September. An autopsy revealed that the girl died of strangulation.
Community reaction
The incident has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about the safety of children in schools. “This is a heinous crime, and we demand strict action against the accused,” said a local resident. The case has also prompted calls for better background checks and monitoring of school staff to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Legal proceedings
Govind Nat is currently in police custody, and legal proceedings are underway. Authorities have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ensure justice for the young victim. The case has also sparked a broader discussion on child safety and the need for stringent measures to protect students from such horrific acts.
Future implications
This tragic event has highlighted the urgent need for reforms in school safety protocols and the importance of creating a secure environment for children. It serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by young students and the critical role of educators in safeguarding their well-being. The community and authorities are now focused on ensuring that such an incident never occurs again.
