After victim's family protests, Ryan to remain shut for another week

The Ryan International School in Gurugram will remained closed till September 25 as the family of 7-year-old Pradhuman Thakur, who was brutally killed on its campus, raised apprehensions about vital evidence being destroyed.

The school was opened to thin attendance on Monday but following the victim's father's objections, the district administration decided to close it till Monday next week.

Meanwhile, the Gurugram police team probing the Pradhuman Thakur case was at the backfoot in a local court over weak investigation even as the three arrested accused in the case were sent to judicial custody till September 29.

The victim's father Barun Thakur strongly held that the school should not be opened till the Central Bureau of Investigation takes over the case.

"The district administration has reopened the school and suppose if any kind of evidence is still intact inside, that could be destroyed by the perpetrator. I strongly object to the decision of the district administration and have written to the Prime Minister's Office seeking its intervention," Thakur said.

He had earlier written an e-mail to Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh asking him to rethink the decision.

Following the family's assertion, the DC decided to close the school till September 25.

The school opened on Monday but only 250 students came against a strength of 1200. Fear continued to grip the parents despite the district authorities having taken over the administrative charge for next three months.

"We reopened the school after 10 days but as the family of Pradhuman had strong objections, we have decided to close the school to address their concerns and also take other safety measures," DC Singh said.

Earlier, Thakur raised questions about the intent of the district administration over its decision to reopen the school.

"Pradhuman murder case has now been transferred to the CBI but it has not taken the charge from the Gurugram police SIT. Therefore, there are strong chances that evidence destruction could take place as the same teaching and non teaching staff will run the school," Thakur said.

Thakur said that he had decided that Pradhuman's sister would not go to Ryan international school now.

In the court, the Gurugram police was at the receiving end over weak investigation. The court sent all three accused Ashok Kumar, Francis Thomas and Jeyus Thomas in judicial custody till September 29.

A class 2 student, Pradhuman Thakur, was found dead in a school toilet, his throat slit. Schoolbus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested the same day for allegedly killing the child.

IMAGE: Students arrive at Gurugram's Ryan International School which re-opened on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo