In Maharashtra's Badlapur, a wave of intense protests broke out after two young girls, aged three and four, were sexually assaulted by a school attendant. The incident, which occurred on August 13, has sparked widespread outrage and led to violent demonstrations in the area. The angered locals, including the parents of the victims, took to the streets, vandalizing the school and blocking train services at the Badlapur railway station in a bid to demand justice and immediate action against the perpetrators.
The situation escalated as the crowd, already incensed by the heinous crime, began hurling stones, leading the police to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the protesters. As the unrest grew, the authorities decided to suspend internet services in Badlapur to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
The sequence of events began when one of the young victims, traumatized by the incident, refused to go to school on August 16. When questioned by her parents, the girl revealed the horrifying ordeal she had endured. Medical tests later confirmed the abuse, showing physical harm to the child’s private parts. The parents, outraged and seeking justice, immediately lodged a complaint. However, they allege that it took the police 12 hours to file an FIR, sparking further anger among the community.
The accused, a school sweeper, was arrested on August 17 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, along with various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The delay in the filing of the FIR, combined with the lack of functioning CCTV cameras at the school and the absence of an all-women staff to care for the children, has led to widespread criticism of the school’s management and the local authorities.
As the news of the incident spread, furious parents and local residents staged a 'rail roko' protest at Badlapur railway station, blocking trains from early in the morning. The demonstration was aimed at demanding strict punishment for the accused and accountability from the school. The protest soon turned violent, with agitators vandalizing the school and throwing stones at the railway station. The police, faced with an increasingly volatile situation, had to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, addressing the incident, stated that he had spoken to the Commissioner of Police and instructed that the accused be charged under the strictest sections of the law. Shinde emphasized that the case would be fast-tracked and that the government would seek the harshest punishment possible, including the death penalty, to ensure that such crimes are deterred in the future. He also announced that an inquiry would be conducted into the school’s management and the alleged negligence by the police.
In response to the public outcry, three police officials, including a senior police inspector, were suspended for their alleged dereliction of duty during the investigation. The local police station in-charge was also transferred for failing to act promptly on the parents' complaint. Two separate investigations, one by the education department and another by the police were ordered to examine the delays in filing the case and to hold those responsible accountable.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken a keen interest in the case, with Chairperson Priyank Kanungo announcing that a team would be sent to Thane to investigate the matter. The NCPCR has questioned the delay in registering the FIR and has vowed to ensure that those responsible for any negligence are held accountable.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, which will be headed by Inspector General of Police Aarti Singh. The move is intended to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation, addressing the concerns of the public and the victims’ families.
Uddhav Thackeray, condemning the incident, called for stricter action and emphasized that such cases must not be lost in the lengthy process of justice. Thackeray also noted that the school in question is reportedly linked to a BJP party worker, although he stressed that his intention was not to politicize the issue.
The incident has deeply shaken the community, with parents and locals demanding justice and systemic changes to protect children in schools. As investigations continue and protests persist, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served swiftly and that measures are put in place to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
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