Buldhana rape case: CM Devendra Fadnavis says all accused held, assures strict action

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday termed as “very serious” the allegations of rape of a minor girl at a government-aided tribal school in Buldhana district and said all the accused have been arrested in the case. “All accused have been arrested by the police. A team of police officials led by a woman IPS officer will probe the case. My government has taken cognisance of the incident,” Fadnavis said in a statement. [caption id=“attachment_2813758” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Devendra Fadnavis. PTI[/caption] The Chief Minister’s statement, however, was silent on the exact number of the victims and the accused arrested so far. State DGP Satish Mathur has said eleven persons have been arrested in connection with the case while search is on for remaining two. The minor girl was allegedly raped at the government-aided tribal residential school following which 11 people, including members of school management, were arrested on Thursday night. A SIT has been formed to probe the case as the police suspect that more children could have been sexually exploited. The CM said, “A team of officials led by a woman IPS officer will probe the case. All directors of the ashram shala are being arrested.” Ashram shala is also known as tribal residential school Ashram shala is also known as the tribal residential school in Maharashtra. “Women police officers will visit all ashram schools, aided and government-run, in the state and speak to the girl inmates to find out whether laid down standard operating practices (SOP) related to security of the girls are being followed or not. “Strict action would be taken if any lapses are found,” the CM said. Earlier in the day, the DGP announced setting up of a Special Investigative Team (SIT), headed by a senior IPS officer, to investigate the case. The top cop had said only one girl has complained of rape.