Hyderabad, July 24: Was Mohammed Salahuddin Ayub, the disgraced director of Parkwood International School, a paedophile ?
Doubts have been raised about Ayub’s mental condition after investigators grilled him over the last couple of days. They believe that he might be suffering from a psychiatric disorder.
Sources close to the investigators disclosed to Express that they have some evidence to indicate Ayub’s sexual perversions. “There is some material to indicate he could be a paedophile but it would come out only when the entire investigation is over. He gave unconvincing replies to some of our questions aimed at knowing whether he had sexual perversions,” the sources said, refusing to part with more details.
Some officers have even spoken to some psychiatrists to understand the behavioural pattern of paedophiles. “Paedophiles normally act very interested in children and in order to gain their trust, they show much more loyalty and affection towards them. Our enquiries have revealed that he used to show more interest in girl students, which surprised even parents, who previously thought he was only being good to their children,” they said. They further said paedophiles have the tendency to threaten their victims to prevent them from reporting their actions. It is learnt the sleuths have reportedly come across some child porn CDs with Ayub.
When the investigators repeatedly asked Ayub why he would often stay back in his resthouse at the school, he gave uncovincing replies. “His attraction to children, marital discord seem to be the reasons for it,” sources said.
Interestingly, sources said the school management had been encouraging admission of girls, saying the strength of girls was far less as compared to boys. Some parents alleged that the school sought donations for boys while for girls, no donation was sought.
In fact, all girl students used to stay on the first floor of the ‘Princess’ block. There are two blocks in the building, one for boys called ‘Prince block’ and the other for girls. The ‘Princess’ block has dormitories and on the second floor, accommodation had been provided to Indira, the warden. Police are questioning Indira now as they suspect she had knowledge of Ayub’s activities and reportedly facilitated him in the offence. Above Indira’s room is the resthouse, where Ayub used to stay put, sometimes for months together.
A parent, whose two daughters were studying in the school until yesterday, said he met Indira several times. It was she who used to manage the hostel affairs, the parent said wishing anonymity.
He said he used to meet Ayub every Sunday, when the parents were allowed to meet their children. “He appeared to be a gentleman, very courteous and would always take special care of the children before us. He would make both us and the child very comfortable during interactions. But we never had a doubt about what was working in his mind,” the parent said. The school used to charge Rs 3 lakh per year. From this year onwards, they offered 25 per cent discount for admission of siblings. “This year, parents from Pakistan, Oman, and New Jersey got their children admitted to Parkwood,” sources said. They added that Ayub’s sister also runs a school under the same banner in Riyadh.
–Agencies