A 55-year-old school principal allegedly killed a Class 1 student in Gujarat's Dahod after she resisted rape, police said.
The accused, identified as Govind Natt, smothered the six-year-old girl to death before dumping her body on the school campus in Torani village, Singvad. The graphic details of the crime were revealed after police arrested the school principal on Sunday and questioned him.
Police suspected the principal after the girl's mother revealed that the principal brought the girl to school daily.
When police interrogated him, Natt said he dropped the girl at school and went out. They learned that the girl never reached the school as corroborated by the students and teachers. They also found out that Natt reached the school late on the day of the child's murder.
Upon further questioning, the principal confessed to his crime, saying he tried to molest the girl and when she started shouting, she smothered her to death.
When he reached the school, he left the child's body in the vehicle and during the evening, he put the body behind the school building. Later, he put her school bag and shoes outside her classroom.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has slammed the state government over Natt's links to the BJP and the RSS, alleging that "our daughters are not safe under the BJP rule in Gujarat."
In response, Gujarat Education Minister Kuber Dindor said the government will ensure the case will run in a fast track court for speedy justice. "It is a shameful act by a principal... We have already suspended him...," added Kuber.