Amid the outrage over the sexual assault of two minors at a school in Badlapur, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the suspension of three police officials for initially delaying action in the case. Fadnavis ordered the immediate suspension of the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable of the Badlapur police station.
The decision comes after it was revealed that these officials delayed taking action in the initial stages of the incident, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability.
Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the state government for “ignoring the safety of women.” “Two young girls were sexually assaulted in Badlapur, Maharashtra on school premises; the entire state is outraged and seeks justice. I once again urge Rashtrapati Bhavan to approve the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, so that no other child or woman faces this travesty. Shame on the state government for continuing to ignore the safety of women,” Chaturvedi said.
She further criticized societal attitudes, saying, “The incident occurred on school premises. Sick perverts in our society want women to dress in a ‘decent way’, step out during ‘safe hours’, work in ‘safe zones’, and take charge of their ‘own safety’. What would you say to this?”
Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said that one accused has been arrested in connection with the incident and assured that maximum punishment would be meted out to him.
Kesarkar stated, “This is a very sad incident. The entire machinery of the state education department has been activated. We have given instructions to four IAS officers from Pune and Mumbai. We are inquiring why the CCTV was not working in the school. After the complaint was given, no action was taken. So, the Senior PI has been transferred. We will take this case to Fast Track court and ensure that the maximum punishment is given to the accused. Our entire department is present here, and the safety of students is our priority.”
He further mentioned that a notice has been sent to the school in Badlapur where the alleged incident took place last week. “We have decided to form a Vishakha Committee for every school. Two teachers, a headmaster, a class teacher, and two assistants have been suspended.
The incident took place between August 13 and 16, and when no cognizance was taken for 12 hours after the complaint on August 18, the Senior PI was transferred. One person has been arrested under POCSO and may face imprisonment of up to 13 and a half years,” he added.
Earlier, a massive protest was held at Badlapur Railway Station on Tuesday in response to the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur. Protesters also pelted stones at police during the protest. Heavy security has been deployed to control the crowd protesting against the incident.
Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan reached Badlapur railway station today to pacify the protesters and assured them of strict action against those responsible.
“A protest has been ongoing here for the past 5-6 hours; people are sitting on the railway track. It is natural because this is such an incident that nobody is going to support it. It is an extremely shameful incident. But the Railway is Mumbai’s lifeline. Thousands of people use it. The CM and DCM have said that an SIT has been formed, an inquiry will be held, and it will be fast-tracked. We, too, want the culprit to be punished at the earliest. Those who showed any negligence will face action,” Mahajan said.
The Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) stated, “Local trains were stopped at Badlapur railway station due to protests against the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur.”
