Massive unrest broke out in Badlapur, Thane, after the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls by a school attendant. The incident sparked outrage among locals, leading to violent protests that disrupted train services and resulted in vandalism.
The girls, aged 3 and 4, were reportedly assaulted by a school sweeper in the school’s restroom on August 13. One of the victims revealed the traumatic experience to her parents on August 16, prompting them to file a complaint. The accused was arrested on August 17 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant sections.
According to the complaint, the child expressed her distress to her parents, leading them to seek medical tests, which confirmed the abuse. The family, however, accused the authorities of delaying the registration of the FIR by 12 hours. Investigations revealed that the school’s CCTV cameras were non-functional, and the institution lacked an all-female staff for managing the children. In response, the school suspended its principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant.
In a show of anger, parents and locals staged a ‘rail roko’ protest at Badlapur station, blocking trains from 8 AM. The protest escalated when agitators vandalized the school and pelted stones at the railway station. Police resorted to lathicharge to control the situation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured swift justice, stating that the case would be fast-tracked and the accused would face severe punishment, possibly including the death penalty. He also ordered an investigation into the school’s negligence and police misconduct.
Three police officers, including a senior inspector, were suspended for failing to act promptly. The police station in-charge was transferred due to the delayed response. Separate inquiries by the education department and police were initiated to investigate the handling of the case.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) criticized both the school and police for their delayed action. A team from NCPCR will visit Thane to investigate, ensuring accountability for those involved.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Inspector General of Police Aarti Singh, to thoroughly probe the case. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray condemned the incident, urging that such cases must not get lost in a prolonged legal process.
