• School concerned set for 7 May inquiry
• Victim’s relatives seek justice 

An alleged incident of sexual abuse of a 15-year-old rugby player has been reported from a prominent rugby-playing school in the metropolis – known for having dominated the inter-school rugby arena in the recent times, during the past week, The Daily Morning Sports reliably understands.

The Godfather of the victim, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the incident had taken place on 22 April at one of the training camps held for the school’s first XV rugby team and said his Godson had been subjected to inhuman treatment.

He said that around four to five prominent rugby players from the first XV rugby team for the 2025 season – which only kicked of last week – had been involved in the sexual abuse and ragging of his Godson.

He charged that refusal to pander to the wishes of the abusers, which he said had even included the captain of the team, had resulted in the victim being assaulted resulting in injuries to his head, neck and chest and warranting treatment at a private hospital.

He said that afterwards, the hierarchy of the school concerned, including its principal, had sought a fortnight’s duration, to conduct a prompt and detailed internal inquiry and punish the players found guilty of the charges levelled against them.

The victim’s Godfather, a former sportsman, emphasised that after the lapse of the two weeks and if there is no justice meted out to his Godson, he will lodge an official complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and the Police.

He however warned that if the top-brass of the school concerned fails to institute punitive action against the offenders concerned by way of suspensions, he will ensure that those behind the crime are brought before the law and severely punished for their actions, to deter others from following suit.

He added that he was in possession of proof to suggest such incidents had been taking place at the school concerned since 2022 and was at a loss to comprehend how the authorities had overlooked such incidents, which he said has now caught the attention of the media as the final resort.

When contacted, the principal of the school in question, the name of which has been withheld as per his request, stated that an internal inquiry over the alleged incident will be held on 7 May and insisted that further action will only be contemplated after its outcome.

He said that already the school authorities have held discussions with the family members and relatives of the victim and observed that it was only right for them to get to the bottom of the story by listening to the views of the players allegedly involved in the incident.

He asserted that if any players are found to be responsible for the alleged incident, they will be not only stood down from the first XV rugby team, but that they will also face suspensions and maintained that his school also stands for justice to the victim.  

Sexual abuse, as per Section 345 of the Penal Code, is a serious crime and if any suspect or accused is found guilty for sexual harassment, such persons are to be sentenced to a maximum of five years’ imprisonment or fine, or both and could be ordered to pay compensation as well.

World Rugby too has strict policies in place to address sexual abuse and misconduct, particularly those involving minors.

The game’s global controlling body in its website states that it takes such cases extremely seriously as their policies are geared to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of minors, while they advocate for all actions to be documented and pursued through both legal and sporting channels.