The Delhi Police booked three students of a private school for allegedly molesting a nine-year-old boy in a school bus on three occasions in Shahdara, PTI reported on Wednesday. The boy’s parents filed a complaint on Monday after he threatened to kill himself before telling them what happened, The Times of India reported.

In his statement recorded by the police, the nine-year-old said the accused molested him on July 27, 30 and August 1. The boy also accused a teacher of ignoring his complaint and telling him that “he is so cute and anyone can molest him”. Deputy Commissioner of Police Meghna Yadav said they were investigating the role of the school administration, The Indian Express reported.

The three accused boys have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, under which all complaints have to be reported to the nearest police station irrespective of any internal inquiry initiated.

The vice principal of the school refuted the nine-year-old’s allegations, and said they were cooperating with the investigation. “We received a complaint of sexual assault on August 2 and asked the teacher on the bus about it,” the vice principal told The Indian Express. “She said it was a usual fight among children, and denied any sexual assault. So we rusticated the boys on disciplinary grounds and informed the nine-year-old’s parents. The family has now gone to police as there are vested interests of some in defaming the school.”

The nine-year-old’s parents said they received a call from the school requesting them to sort out the matter with the parents of the accused, The Times of India reported. The police said they were questioning the teacher and a bus attendant.

The boy and the three accused have been sent for counselling.