Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Even as the driver of a private school accused of attempting to rape a minor girl was sent to jail today after the victim's statement was recorded in the court, school authorities suspended the accused driver of the school bus and his co-driver.

The school authorities have asserted that no such incident took place in the campus and assured strict action against the guilty if the allegation is proved.

"Police and our internal inquiry committee are investigating the case separately. Till now, we do not believe that such a case can take place. But if it has actually happened, strict action will be taken," school principal Rajalaxmi Patnaik said.

In a release, she also said that school authorities may approach the Crime Branch to investigate the case, if needed.

On the other hand, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has appointed a counselor to persuade the minor victim to attend classes.

"We have appointed a counsellor of the child line and asked the school authorities to form an internal committee to probe the case," CWC member Benudhar Senapati said.

The accused driver Bijay Moharana allegedly attempted to rape the girl inside the toilet. But the girl somehow managed to escape from his clutches and disclosed the incident to her parents following which they filed a complaint with police yesterday

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