Hyderabad, july 24: Mohd Salahuddin Ayub, suspended director of Parkwood School International, who was arrested on charges of raping a minor student of the school, targeted timid girls, police investigation revealed.
In a related development, sleuths have picked up hostel warden Indira for questioning.
Central Crime Station (CCS) sleuths on Friday produced Ayub before a magistrate who remanded him in judicial custody even as the management of Parkwood International School announced the suspension of Ayub as director till his name was cleared. The school would start functioning from July 25 as parents and students had reposed faith in the management, academic head Ayesha Tanveer told reporters. Sources in the CCS said Ayub used to target timid girls.
“In case of girls who resisted him straightaway, he would never touch again. But any girl who could not do this — perhaps out of fear, ended up as a victim,’’ an official said. They said Ayub used to summon a prey to his “rest room” atop the girls’ hostel terrace and then, sedate and rape her, sources said.
Meanwhile, police said they had arrested Ayub after gathering sufficient evidence. “Prima facie we have established evidence against Ayub,’’ CCS DCP J Satyanarayana said. He, however, added that no other girl had lodged a complaint.
“Some of the girls corroborated the victim’s version,’’ Satyanarayana said.
Though no other girl came forward with a complaint, sources said some, including a minor student from Korea, were sexually assaulted. Police said a mobile phone seized from Ayub showed pictures of him with hands around two girls, holding them tightly.
Police are also probing the possibility of some school staff abetting Ayub in the crime. Hostel warden Indira, who the sleuths believe had knowledge of Ayub’s acts, was picked up for questioning. The police also conducted medical tests on Ayub. Speaking to reporters, Ayub professed his innocence. “I will speak when the time comes,’’ he said as the police whisked him away.
–Agencies