Jajpur, Sept. 3: The police superintendent has sought an explanation from the headmistress of a government-run primary school where an eight-year-old student was allegedly raped by a 22-year-old youth on August 23.

The police superintendent, Deepak Kumar, has asked headmistress Jyotsnarani Nayak to explain why she should not be arrested under Section 317 of the Indian Penal Code (abandonment of a child) in connection with the rape of the Class-III student of her school.

A person convicted under Section 317 of the IPC can be put in jail for a maximum period of seven years.

The girl went to school on August 23 only to find that classes were suspended because of reconstruction of the school building.

Instead of returning home, she was playing with some of her friends near the school when the accused, Pradhan, allegedly lured her on the pretext of giving chocolates.

He took the girl to a deserted place on the school premises and allegedly raped her there.

The girl’s family later lodged a complaint with Kuakhia police and Pradhan was subsequently arrested.

“When classes start in a school, it is natural to expect that a headmaster/headmistress remains a legal guardian of all the students. How is it possible that the school authorities were not aware of the rape that took place on its premises during working hours?” asked Kumar.