The disturbing incident in Badlapur involved two kindergarten students who were sexually abused by a male school attendant.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the police on Tuesday to file charges of attempted rape against an individual accused of sexually abusing two young girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane. Shinde emphasized that the case would be expedited with the appointment of a special public prosecutor.
“I’ve spoken with the Thane Police Commissioner, and the accused has been detained. I’ve instructed that the case be fast-tracked, with the accused charged under attempted rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” Shinde announced.
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Incident in Badlapur
The disturbing incident involved two kindergarten students who were sexually abused by a male school attendant. The accused was apprehended last week.
In response, parents and local residents expressed their outrage by storming the school on Tuesday, vandalizing the premises. The protest escalated to blocking train tracks at the Badlapur railway station from 8:30 am onwards. Although some protesters resorted to stone-throwing, the situation was quickly brought under control.
The victims, aged three and four, were assaulted in the school’s restroom. Following the incident, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant.
Details of the Badlapur Case
The accused, a 23-year-old male cleaning staff member named Akshay Shinde, was hired on a contractual basis on August 1, 2024. The assault occurred when the girls visited the restroom, which lacked female staff supervision. The crime came to light after one of the girls complained of pain in her private parts and disclosed that the attendant had touched her inappropriately.
Upon learning of this, the girl’s parents reached out to the parents of her friend, who also revealed that their daughter was afraid to attend school. The children were taken to a local doctor, who confirmed that both had been sexually abused.
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Government Response
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) issued a stern warning that legal action would be taken against the school management if found negligent. The Chief Minister also instructed the Thane Police Commissioner to prioritize the case and ensure thorough and swift justice.
In addition, Eknath Shinde called for a review of schools to ensure that Sakhi Savitri committees, which are intended to protect and support students, are in place. To enhance school safety and prevent future incidents, Shinde proposed several measures, including the installation of complaint boxes in every school and increased scrutiny of school staff who frequently interact with students.
The government has also set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe the case.