Kalina school principal says the victim's mother is mentally unsound

In the aftermath of the rape of a three-year-old at a school in Kalina last Thursday, an ugly catfight erupted between the principal of the school and the victim's mother.

While the victim's family alleged yesterday that the principal, Ritu Bhugra, brawled with them, Bhugra alleged that the mother of the girl snatched her chain.

The parents of the girl, Pinky (name changed), went to Kalina Education Society School in Santacruz (East) to meet Bhugra, but got into an argument, which degenerated into pawing and snatching between the mother and the school's head.

Said Pinky's mother, "When we went to the school in the morning the principal tried to hit me. I want justice and will fight for my daughter until the criminals are punished."

As the mother then headed to the Vakola police station to file a complaint, the principal had already complained against her to the police.

The principal maintains that Pinky's father had told her about her mother's mental instability.

"When she came to my office, she attacked me and snatched my chain. I have informed the police. But she filed a counter complaint against me. Her husband had said the first day that his wife was mentally ill," said Bhugra.

But Pinky's father denied that. "I did not say anything against my wife and haven't even met the principal," he said.

Last Thursday, Pinky, was taken inside the school's toilet by the watchman Telam Singh (55) and raped during school hours.

Singh has been employed with the school for 35 years.

Despite two medical tests confirming rape, the school staff is defiant and alleges that the girl's mother is mentally unsound and is out to malign the institution's image.

"Investigation is on and we cannot reveal any further details," said Senior Inspector Rajendra Govindsinha Pardesi.