The regional head of the Ryan Group moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday with a plea to shift the case of the murder of a seven-year-old boy, who was found dead at the Bhondsi branch of Ryan International School, outside Haryana.
In an urgent mentioning before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, northern zone head of Ryan Group Francis Thomas, who was arrested on Monday in connection with the case, requested the apex court to transfer the murder case from a local court in Sohna.
Senior advocate K.T.S. Tulsi, appearing for Mr. Thomas, said the local Bar associations of Sohna and Gurugram had restrained its member lawyers from representing any accused in the case “thereby denying Mr. Thomas his fundamental right to access to justice and legal representation”.
The matter will be heard on September 18.
Plea by victim’s father
On September 8, the body of a seven-year-old boy was found in the school wash-room with is throat slit open.
The police has arrested 42-year-old bus conductor Ashok Kumar for the murder.
The victim’s father has already moved the Supreme Court for transfer of the probe to the CBI.
He has also asked the apex court to lay down safety guidelines making schools accountable for any untoward incidents involving students within the premises.
The court has issued notices to the CBI, Centre, Haryana government and the CBSE on the plea.
Two advocates have also separately moved the apex court for framing of “non-negotiable” child safety conditions and implementation of existing guidelines to protect school children from offences like sexual abuse and murder.
