A six-year-old Class 1 student was sexually assaulted by the toilet attendant of his school in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur. The accused was arrested after a massive protest outside the school.

The survivor’s mother told the media that her son told her that the toilet attendant had subjected him to “oral molestation”.

“My son is six years old and went to school on Friday. When we went to pick him up, he said he had something embarrassing to tell me. Upon reaching home, he revealed that the boys’ restroom attendant had closed the door and molested him – he subjected him to oral molestation.”

She said the accused let go of her son only because his friends knocked on the toilet door

She accused the school administration of attempting to suppress the crime to protect its reputation.

“The school took no initiative. All the parents have gathered here to protest against the crime. We demand the removal of the principal. Instead of helping, the teachers are making inappropriate remarks; we also demand the suspension of these teachers”, she said.

Police said the accused was arrested following the parents’ complaint.

The police have issued several directives to the school, including separate restrooms for Class 5 students, installation of CCTV cameras outside washrooms to monitor entry and exit, deployment of attendants outside the facilities, and mandatory background verification of staff members.