AMARAVATI: Four more persons have been arrested in connection with the rape of two girls at a residential school for tribal children in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, taking the number of those apprehended to 15.
After the alleged rape of a class IV student at Nimbaji Kokare Aided Primary Ashram (residential) School at Pala in Khamgaon tehsil came to light three days ago, another girl from the same class came forward with a rape complaint against the same accused, Ittusingh Pawar, yesterday.
Police also arrested school staff and members of its management for not reporting the crime.
A police officer today said Pawar, who worked as a sweeper in the school, had confessed to the crime during the questioning.
The SIT of police yesterday arrested four directors -- Balkrishna Wagh (65), Sahebrao Kokare (42), Anil Kokare (36) and Mohan Kokare (54) -- of Shri Ramchandra Maharaj Sewabhavi Sanstha which runs the ashram school.
A local court remanded them in judicial custody till November 14.
Police had earlier arrested 11 people, including Pawar who is facing the charge of rape. All of them were remanded in police custody till November 10.
Tribal organisations in Amravati yesterday took out a protest march to the divisional commissioner's office demanding action against the guilty and formation of a committee to ensure the safety of tribal students at ashram schools.
Vijaya Rahatkar, President, State Women's Commission, yesterday visited the school where 395 students including 105 girls are enrolled. The government has now withdrawn the institute's recognition.
All the students will be accommodated in the ashram schools in their respective native areas, Rahatkar said, while announcing an aid of Rs two lakh each from the state government's `Manodhairya scheme' to the victims.