The family of a toddler who was allegedly raped by a private school caretaker have been left furious after the alleged assailant was released on bail. Police said the alleged assault of the three-year-old girl occurred on April 30, in Janakpuri, west Delhi, just two days after the child was admitted to the nursery.
The girl’s mother reported the incident the following day, claiming her daughter returned home in pain. When questioned, the child identified the caretaker and said he had taken her to a secluded part of the school. The accused was arrested on May 1 and was placed in judicial custody, but was granted bail despite strong opposition from prosecutors.
Police confirmed that CCTV footage from the school is being examined as part of the investigation.
The girl’s mother has accused authorities of failing to act promptly, saying her family was made to wait for hours at the police station during questioning.
She also claimed that a teacher was interrogated, but no further accountability was established.
Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the bail decision. He said: “Imagine a child being admitted to nursery in a private school and returning home on the very first day, only for the parents to discover that a 57-year-old caretaker raped the child.”
He further alleged that instead of helping the family, police officials threatened them.
Police hit back at the claims and defended their handling of the investigation in the immediate aftermath.
In a statement, authorities said: “During the investigation, the accused was arrested after identification by the victim on the same day, promptly.
“Statement of the victim was also recorded before the court, and relevant CCTV/DVR footage along with other exhibits were seized as per law.”
The statement added that the inquiry was conducted “impartially, fairly, and professionally” using forensic analysis, scientific evidence, and witness testimony.
It also dismissed reports of intimidation as “false, baseless and contrary to the actual facts,” stressing that the child was provided a “comfortable, child-friendly environment” during proceedings.
Authorities said the detailed bail order is being reviewed and that further legal remedies are under consideration.
