Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.

The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.

According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.

She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.

Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.

Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.

The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.

Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.

Haridwar, July 8: Amid the controversy over alleged embezzlement of donations made at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and Badrinath’s Shri Badrinath Temple, Parmarth Niketan President Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Jain monk Acharya Lokesh Muni on Wednesday urged for the implementation of strict rules so that such allegations are not repeated.

Speaking to media, Swami Chidanand Saraswati cautioned against the spread of rumours which “hurt people’s religious sentiments”.

“I would like to say that no one should spread such rumours. If there has been any mistake, there are proper channels to address it. People should go and discuss the matter through the appropriate means instead of coming directly to the media and misleading the public,” he said.

The Parmarth Niketan President added: “If rules are broken, they can be formed again but once faith is broken, it is very difficult to restore. It is a good step that the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi immediately constituted an inquiry committee. I have also come to know that the committee’s secretary Pramod Nautiya has been dismissed. This is a fast action taken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government.”

Swami Chidanand Saraswati also urged for implementation of strict rules for temples, terming it “mandatory to sustain the faith of devotees”.

“SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) should be made and followed so that people are able to maintain their faith on temples,” he said.

Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni said that where there are large institutions, such incidents can happen but “it cannot be allowed to continue”.

“Our country has laws, the Constitution, and a proper system of governance. Wherever such an incident occurs at any place of faith, it should not be tolerated. Proper arrangements must be made to prevent such incidents, and if one has occurred, the stolen property or money should also be recovered and strict action should be taken against those guilty,” he told media.

The Jain spiritual leader also said: “Measures should be taken that such incidents are never repeated. Lord Ram is the soul of this country, so if thefts take place at the Ram Temple, it hurts the sentiments of devotees.”

Lokesh Muni expressed confidence that the stolen donations from Ram Temple will be recovered, guilty will be punished and that the government along with the Temple Trust will take measures to prevent repetition of such acts.

Bengaluru, July 8: A 12-year-old student of a residential school in Bengaluru died under suspicious circumstances on Wednesday, prompting allegations of assault by teachers and protests by his family members and relatives.

The deceased has been identified as Gurukiran, a Class 6 student at the prominent school located in Kadayarappanahalli village in Bengaluru North Taluk. He was the son of Raghavendra, a resident of Subedarpalya.

According to the school management, Gurukiran collapsed while jogging on the school campus early in the morning. School authorities informed his parents over the phone around 6 a.m., stating that he had fallen ill and had been shifted to a hospital. However, by the time the parents reached the hospital, the boy had died.

The bereaved family has alleged that Gurukiran was physically assaulted by teachers using iron rods and sticks, and claimed that the pressure exerted on him at the residential school led to his death.

Speaking to reporters, Gurukiran’s father, Raghavendra, said, “My son was admitted to this school when he was studying in Class 5. The school claims that he collapsed while jogging this morning. But when we reached the hospital, we found him dead. I suspect something happened inside the school. The teachers might have assaulted him or done something to him.”

He further alleged that another student informed the family that Gurukiran had been beaten with an iron rod while staying in the hostel. “We have been told that the physical education teacher assaulted him. The police are protecting the teacher,” he alleged.

Raghavendra said his son had never complained about any harassment or assault at the school. “He never shared any complaints with us. What could happen to a child studying in Class 6? I strongly suspect he was assaulted. The school called us at around 6 a.m., saying he had collapsed while jogging and that his pulse rate had dropped,” he said.

Following the incident, Gurukiran’s parents and relatives gathered outside the residential school and staged a protest against the management. They alleged that the boy had been beaten with sticks and iron rods and demanded a thorough investigation.

Personnel from the Bagalur Police Station rushed to the school and attempted to pacify the agitated family members and relatives.

Another relative, Yashasvini, alleged that the family was initially not allowed to see Gurukiran’s body after reaching the hospital.

“When we reached the hospital, we were not allowed to see the child’s body. We later learned that the school staff had taken him to another hospital. We don’t know what actually happened. When we asked the management for the CCTV footage, they claimed that the cameras were damaged and the footage was unavailable,” she said.

Questioning the school’s version, she added, “If he suffered a heart attack, there should have been some signs. They have not provided any proper explanation and are simply saying that he collapsed while jogging. He was perfectly healthy. During the summer vacation, he spent time with us and never had any health issues. He was never hospitalised before. How are we supposed to believe this?”

The family also questioned the school’s claim that Gurukiran completed two rounds of jogging before collapsing during the third one. They alleged that the management failed to provide CCTV footage from either the jogging area or the room where he was reportedly taken after collapsing.

“They are saying the CCTV footage is unavailable because the cameras were damaged. We found that the CCTV cameras had been removed and the wires had been cut. We suspect foul play. Other students have also told us that children are beaten in the school,” a relative alleged.

Tension prevailed at the school as angry parents allegedly assaulted the physical education teacher in the presence of police personnel. The police intervened and managed to rescue the teacher from the agitated crowd.

Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of Gurukiran’s death. Further investigation is underway.

When contacted, the phone went unanswered at the residential school. The school is yet to react to the allegations.