The recent developments surrounding the alleged sexual assault of two young girls in Badlapur have sparked widespread outrage and prompted significant legal and political reactions in Maharashtra.
On Thursday, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole welcomed the Bombay High Court's decision to take suo moto cognizance of the incident, expressing hope that the case will be handled with the same seriousness as the Kolkata rape and murder case.
Patole voiced concerns about the integrity of the investigation, citing doubts about the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS officer Arti Singh. He also criticised the appointment of a government advocate who is a member of the BJP, calling for changes to both the investigative team and legal representation.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also condemned the incident, stating that the accused should face the harshest possible punishment to serve as a deterrent to others.
Goyal expressed confidence in the actions taken by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, assuring that the case would be expedited through a fast-track court to deliver justice swiftly.
The Bombay High Court's decision to take suo moto cognizance of the case comes amidst violent protests in Maharashtra, reflecting the public's anger and demand for justice. The court, represented by a division bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan, began hearing the case on Thursday.
The case, which involves the alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls by a school attendant, has deeply affected the community in Badlapur. The incident occurred on August 17, leading to the arrest of the attendant and fueling public outrage.
In response to the incident and the alleged delay in registering the crime, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has recommended the establishment of special branches or "mini-police stations" for women and children in every police station across the state.
MSCPCR Chairperson Susieben Shah emphasised the need for dedicated units to handle complaints from women and children, highlighting that current structures like Women’s Help Desks and Special Juvenile Police Units are often understaffed or repurposed for other duties, resulting in delays in addressing such sensitive cases.
Follow us
