A Class 10 student at a private school hostel on the outskirts of Bengaluru was allegedly subjected to four days of sexual assault and ragging by classmates and senior students, in what police say was an ordeal encouraged by the hostel principal and warden.

The victim, who had only recently joined the hostel, was reportedly targeted after he complained about ragging to the authorities.

CK Baba, Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed that a case has been registered at Bannerghatta Police Station regarding the sexual assault of the boy in the hostel.

The assault was allegedly committed by Pre-University Course (PUC) students. The incident reportedly occurred around midnight. Six of the accused students are minors, and one warden has been arrested. The authorities will also examine whether ragging was involved.

Following a complaint lodged by the student’s father at the Bannerghatta police station, an FIR was registered on September 8 against five students, the principal and the warden under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

The school administration issued a statement acknowledging the case. “We are aware of the FIR registered under the Pocso Act. The safety and well-being of our children remain the foremost priority. We are extending full cooperation to the police authorities. At this stage, we have been advised not to make any statement on the merits of the case so that it does not interfere with the ongoing investigations. We request the media and the public to respect the sensitivity of the matter and allow due process to take its own course in the best interest of the children and the school,” said the school administrator.

The administrator further added that the case is under investigation and the institution is not fully aware of the details. “We will keep you posted. Whatever the decision comes, we will update you. We will call you for a discussion and update. See, these are allegations at the moment. We don’t know. It is all hearsay. Whatever is the outcome, we will update you. We don’t know the content of the FIR. We will keep you updated. I am not aware of the full details here. We have 40 students,” the administrator said.

Police said investigations are ongoing.

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