Protests erupted in Thane's Badlapur district after a shocking case of sexual assault involving two young girls. The incident, which occurred at a local school, has stirred outrage and led to widespread demonstrations.
The alleged assault took place in the school toilet, involving a school attendant and two kindergarten girls aged three and four. The abuse came to light when the girls reported it to their parents on August 12.
The accused was arrested on August 17 and faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Following the revelation, the school faced severe backlash. The school management was criticised for failing to ensure proper security measures, as the CCTV cameras were reportedly non-functional and there were no female staff members present to supervise the children. In response, the school suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant.
Outraged by the incident and the handling of the case, local residents and parents organised a 'rail roko' protest at the Badlapur railway station. The demonstration, which began at 8 am, involved blocking trains and resulted in vandalism at the school and stone-throwing at the railway station.
In a statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasised the need for stringent action. He assured that the accused would face the harshest penalties and that the case would be fast-tracked. Shinde also mentioned that a thorough investigation into the school's role and the police's response would be conducted.
The local police's handling of the case has been called into question. Three police officials, including a senior inspector, have been suspended for their alleged dereliction of duty.
The local police station in-charge was also transferred due to delays in addressing the parents' complaints. The education department and police are both conducting separate investigations into the delays and mishandling of the case.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has announced it will send a team to Thane to look into the incident. NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanungo criticised the school's insensitivity and the delayed response by the police. Kanungo called for accountability and action against those responsible for mishandling the case.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Inspector General of Police-rank officer Aarti Singh, will be formed to investigate the case further. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the formation of the SIT, aiming to ensure a thorough investigation.
In response to the incident, Uddhav Thackeray has condemned the assault and called for stricter measures. Thackeray highlighted the need for immediate and severe action to prevent such cases from being delayed. He also mentioned the potential political connections of the school but stated his intention to keep politics separate from the case.
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