Badlapur School
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the police to impose charges of attempted rape against the accused in the shocking case of sexual abuse involving two kindergarten students at Badlapur school. The accused, a 23-year-old male cleaning staff member, has been arrested and will also face charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Chief Minister announced that a special public prosecutor would be appointed to ensure the case is expedited through a fast-track court. “I have spoken to the Thane Commissioner of Police. The accused has been arrested. I have asked for the case to be fast-tracked and the accused to be booked under the charges of attempted rape and the POCSO Act,” CM Shinde stated.
Outrage in Badlapur School : Parents and Citizens Demand Justice
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the Badlapur community, involved the sexual abuse of two young girls, aged three and four, by a male attendant at their school. The abuse occurred in the school toilet, where no female staff members were present to supervise the children. The accused, identified as Akshay Shinde, was hired on a contractual basis on August 1, 2024.
The heinous crime came to light when one of the victims complained of pain in her private parts. After her parents inquired, she revealed that the accused had inappropriately touched her in the school toilet. The parents of the second victim were also contacted, and they reported that their daughter had been similarly traumatized and was scared to return to school. A local doctor confirmed that both girls had been sexually assaulted.
Following these revelations, anger and frustration boiled over in the Badlapur community. On Tuesday, furious parents and concerned citizens stormed the school, vandalizing property in an outburst of outrage. The protest spilled over to the Badlapur railway station, where agitators blocked train tracks starting at 8:30 am, demanding swift justice. Some protestors hurled stones, but law enforcement quickly brought the situation under control.
School Management Under Scrutiny
In response to the incident, the school management has suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, pending further investigation. CM Shinde has warned of severe legal consequences if the school management is found negligent in safeguarding the children. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) emphasized that the case is being handled with the highest priority by the Thane police.
CM Shinde has also called for a thorough review to ensure that Sakhi Savitri committees, which are intended to protect and support students, are operational in all schools. Additionally, he has proposed several new safety measures, including the installation of complaint boxes in every school and stricter scrutiny of staff members who have frequent interactions with students.
A Call for Systemic Change
The Badlapur school abuse case has sparked a broader conversation about the safety of children in educational institutions. Parents and citizens are demanding not just justice in this case, but also systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future. As the legal process unfolds, the focus will be on ensuring accountability and reinforcing measures to protect the most vulnerable members of society – young children.
