Maharashtra Badlapur School Case Highlights: A protest in Badlapur, Maharashtra, on Tuesday, quickly led to violence following allegations of sexual abuse involving two girls at a local school in Thane district. The accused, a male attendant at the kindergarten, was arrested last week. In response to the incident, outraged parents, school community members, and local residents, including many women, gathered outside the school early in the morning. They staged a ‘rail roko’ protest at Badlapur railway station, blocking suburban train services from around 8:30 AM and demanding swift action against both the school and the accused.
Maharashtra Badlapur School Case Highlights
The situation worsened when some protesters forcibly entered the school premises, vandalizing it by smashing windows, benches, and doors. Concurrently, the rail blockade caused significant disruption to commuters. The authorities, led by Commissioner of Government Railway Police (GRP) Ravindra Shisve, were working to control the situation and disperse the crowd.
Maharashtra Badlapur School Case, Mumbai Local Train Update, Badlapur train news today:
Renowned lawyer Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as the special public prosecutor in the Badlapur minor sexual abuse case.
Protesters at Badlapur station, amid ongoing demonstrations and stone-pelting, called for the culprits to be punished in public. The police later dispersed the crowd, but train services remain halted, awaiting safety clearance for resumption.
Amid public outrage over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar announced on Tuesday that 'Vishakha committees' will be established in schools. These internal committees, mandated by the Supreme Court's Vishakha judgment, will address workplace sexual harassment complaints.
Kesarkar emphasized that schools with non-functional CCTV cameras would face action. "Vishakha committees will be formed at the school level," he said, highlighting that the committees will offer a platform for grievances, particularly for girl students in 9th, 10th, and junior college.
Despite an existing mandate for CCTV cameras in schools, the cameras at the Badlapur school where the alleged abuse occurred were found to be non-functional. A circular will soon be issued, making schools accountable for such lapses, Kesarkar added.
Police used lathi-charge to disperse protestors gathered at Badlapur railway station, who were demonstrating against the alleged sexual assault involving a girl student.
NCP-SP state president Jayant Patil criticised the Maharashtra government, accusing it of prioritising financial aid events over ensuring women's safety.
The government is busy organising events to give financial aid to women, but in reality, women are not safe in Maharashtra. First, it was Navi Mumbai, then Badlapur, Patil said, adding that the home department has been silent.
He called for stronger action and a safer environment for women, arguing that the government's responsibility does not end with financial assistance.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule has called for a high-level investigation into the alleged sexual abuse case in Badlapur. She criticised the police for delaying the registration of the FIR, stating that it took "over 18 hours" after the incident to file the report. Sule further remarked that the government should resign if it is unable to ensure security and justice for the daughters of the state.
Murbad MLA Kisan Kathore of the BJP has alleged that the recent protests at Badlapur railway station, triggered by the alleged sexual abuse of two schoolgirls, were politically motivated. Kathore claimed that the demonstrators were not locals from Badlapur but had come from neighbouring areas such as Ulhasnagar.
These protesters are not from Badlapur city; they have arrived from nearby places like Ulhasnagar, Kathore said, adding that a detailed investigation is ongoing against the school principal and staff accused of trying to cover up the incident.
Kathore further alleged that individuals linked to political parties had previously rejected funds from the "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana" but are now involved in the justice-seeking protests.
On August 17, a school attendant was arrested for allegedly abusing two girls, aged three and four, in a kindergarten class at a school in Badlapur. According to the complaint, the attendant sexually abused the girls in the school’s toilet.
The incident came to light when the girls informed their parents about the inappropriate touching, leading to a police complaint. The attendant was subsequently arrested and charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The case is under investigation.
Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar has alleged that the parents of a girl sexually abused at a Badlapur school were made to wait for 11 hours at the police station before their complaint was filed. In a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Congress leader described the incident—where two kindergarten girls were allegedly abused at school—as more significant than the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, which has garnered national outrage.
Wadettiwar criticised the handling of the case, questioning the lack of sensitivity. He mentioned having spoken with the police commissioner and called for the immediate suspension of the woman police officer responsible for the delay.
Due to ongoing public agitation at Badlapur, the following trains will be diverted via Panvel - Karjat with additional halts at Panvel (PNVL) and BIRD:
Maharashtra Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Aditi Tatkare, addressed the Badlapur alleged sexual assault incident, calling it "an unfortunate situation."
She announced that the Home Ministry has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and is seeking an expedited report. The state Home Minister has suspended the local police officer responsible for delaying the case registration.
Additionally, the principal of the school has been suspended, and the school's management is under investigation. Tatkare emphasixed that the focus remains on delivering justice to the victim and ensuring the harshest punishment for the perpetrators. She assured that the government has not shown any negligence in addressing the issue.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the Thane Police Commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable from the Badlapur police station. This action follows their delay in responding to the initial stages of the Badlapur incident.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has demanded stringent measures in response to the recent sexual abuse incident at a school in Badlapur. Thackeray stated that such incidents should be prevented throughout the country, not just in Badlapur.
He highlighted that the Shakti Bill, which was intended to address such issues, was stalled when his government was toppled. Thackeray asserted that it is now the responsibility of those who replaced his government to pass the Shakti Bill and ensure that the strictest action is taken.
He also mentioned that the school involved in the incident is reportedly linked to BJP members but emphasized that the focus should be on justice rather than politics.
Thackeray concluded by stating that whoever is found guilty, whether affiliated with the BJP or not, must face strict consequences.
Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan met with protesters at Badlapur Station as their demonstration continued.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the incident. Action will also be taken against the school involved, and the case is being fast-tracked for a swift resolution.
The Maharashtra government has ordered the suspension of three police officials, including a senior police inspector, for alleged neglect of duty in the investigation of the sexual abuse of two girls at a school in Badlapur, amid widespread protests.
"The orders of immediate suspension of the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector and head constable attached to Badlapur police station for the dereliction of duty have been issued," Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted on X.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the Badlapur school incident, describing it as extremely serious. In response, the state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a female officer of IG rank to handle the case.
Fadnavis emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring a swift resolution by expediting the case to a fast-track court.
#watch | "The incident of rape in Badlapur is very serious, I strongly condemn this incident. The state government has formed an SIT under the leadership of a woman officer of IG rank to investigate the case. The government is trying to get the case to the fast-track court so… pic.twitter.com/bR2NVK8ZnW
— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2024
On the Badlapur school incident, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra, Vijay Wadettiwar, stated, "Maharashtra should be ashamed that such an incident has occurred in the state. "
He demanded that the case be fast-tracked and that the accused receive the death penalty within three months, noting that crowds were gathering on the streets and that the school was being vandalized. He criticised the police for making the victim’s family wait 11 hours before filing the FIR, attributing the delay to the school’s connections with those in power.
Following the incident, the school management announced late Monday that the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant had been suspended for their roles in the matter. The management also issued an apology and confirmed that they have blacklisted the housekeeping firm involved.
"Vigilance on the school premises will be increased in the wake of the incident," stated the school authorities.
Amid unrest in Badlapur, Maharashtra, over the sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls at a school, angry residents began throwing stones at the building. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with demonstrators, many wearing black, targeting the school where the alleged assault took place. Police intervened with tear gas and crowd-control measures to restore order. The suspects involved in the stone-throwing were arrested and are being held at the local police station.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her concern over the alleged sexual assault of a young girl at a school in Badlapur, calling for immediate action and justice for the victim.
"It is a very sad incident...Every time it is said that they will fight for the rights of women and that justice will be served. But once elections are over no one listens to them...The women who are protesting are saying that they don't want the benefits under the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme but they want the safety of the women...How long will we keep women away from justice?..."
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged sexual abuse of two female students at a school in Badlapur, Thane district.
The SIT will be headed by Inspector General of Police-rank officer Aarti Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who heads the Home Department, said on X.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the police to charge the accused, arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two girl students at a school in Badlapur, Thane district, with attempted rape.
The case will be expedited, and a special public prosecutor will be appointed, Shinde announced on Tuesday. "I have spoken to the Thane Commissioner of Police. The accused has been arrested. I have asked the case to be fast-tracked and book the accused under the charges of attempt to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," he said.
The Chief Minister also warned of legal action against the school management if it is found to be negligent or complicit. He urged protesting parents to exercise restraint, as the rail blockade was disrupting local train services.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) will send a team to Thane, Maharashtra. The commission has also raised concerns about the delay in registering the FIR for the case.
The incident has provoked widespread outrage, particularly due to the reported delay by local police in filing the First Information Report (FIR). NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo expressed his distress on social media and announced that a team would be dispatched to investigate the matter.
He questioned the reason behind the police making the victim's parents wait for 12 hours before filing the FIR.
"I will personally monitor the investigation, and ensure that all negligent police officers are punished," Kanoongo said in a post on X.
Reflecting on the incident, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora posted on X, " The public outrage over the horrific #badlapur incident is a clear message — violence against women & children will not be tolerated. As a father, my heart goes out to the victims & their families. The Badlapur case is an insult to our core values as a society & nation. Schools, caregivers & law enforcement must prioritise the safety of our children through stringent background checks & vigilance. "
"The #maharashtra Government’s response so far:
The accused has been arrested & will face trial in a fast-track court
An SIT under a DG Rank officer has been established.
The school principal, class teacher & attendants have been suspended.
Police officers who delayed action have been removed from duty Education Minister @KesarkarDeepak Ji is on the ground in Badlapur CM @mieknathshindeJi & DCM @Dev_Fadnavis
Ji have ordered a water-tight case against the accused.
"Maharashtra’s #zerotolerance policy on sexual assault remains firm — justice will be served & no one will be spared," he added.
A rail roko protest at Badlapur station in Maharashtra's Thane district on Tuesday disrupted train services following allegations of sexual abuse involving two kindergarten students.
The Central Railway reported that 10 long-distance trains were diverted via alternative routes due to the protest. Demonstrators, including several women, blocked the railway tracks, leading to a suspension of local train services between Ambernath and Karjat stations from 10:10 am. The situation escalated as protesters vandalised the school connected to the alleged incident and engaged in stone-pelting at Badlapur railway station, according to the police.
The police on August 17 arrested a school attendant in Badlapur, Thane, following allegations of sexual abuse involving two young kindergarten girls, who are aged three and four, as per media reports. The complaint alleges that the abuse occurred in the school restroom. After the girls reported inappropriate touching by the attendant to their parents, a formal complaint was lodged, leading to the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has publicly condemned the incident and criticized the local police for making the victim's parents wait 12 hours before registering the FIR. Kanoongo's statement on social media highlighted his alarm over the situation and confirmed that the NCPCR team will address the delays and ensure a thorough investigation.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is sending a team to Thane, Maharashtra, in response to the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old girl at a local school. The NCPCR has raised concerns about the delay in filing an FIR and is investigating the matter due to widespread outrage.