The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported sexual assault on two minor girl students in Maharashtra’s Badlapur and has called for a detailed report within two weeks from the authorities concerned.
According to an official release from the NHRC, the detailed report is expected to include the reason behind the delay in the registration of an FIR, its status, and the health of the victim girls.
“The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report carried on August 18, 2024, that two minor girl students were allegedly sexually abused by a staff member of a school in Thane,” the commission said.
“Reportedly, the parents have raised questions about why a female staff member was not deputed to clean the girls’ washroom. Allegedly, the registration of the FIR was delayed almost 12 hours after they complained to the police about the matter,” it said.
“The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, calling for a detailed report on the matter, including the reason behind the delay in the registration of an FIR, its status, and the health of the victim girls,” it added.
It further said, “The Commission would also like to know whether any counselling has been provided to the victims by the authorities or school management. The report should also mention the steps taken and proposed to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The response from the authorities is expected within two weeks.”
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on August 20 (Tuesday) that the case of sexual abuse of two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur would be tried in a fast-track court.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, announced the setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) under Inspector General of Police Aarti Singh and the appointment of advocate Ujwal Nikam as the public prosecutor in the matter.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the alleged sexual assault of two minors at a school in Badlapur district of the state on Tuesday and said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case.
Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis also ordered the Thane Police Commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable of Badlapur police station who “delayed action in the initial stage of the Badlapur incident”.
Taking to his social media handle on X, Devendra Fadnavis posted, “In the Badlapur unfortunate incident, IG rank officer IPS Arti Singh is appointed immediately to conduct the inquiry. A charge sheet will be immediately filed and this matter will be heard in the fast-track court. Our police department will make complete efforts to get such barbaric, inhumane people punished immediately.”
“Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the Thane Police Commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable of Badlapur police station who delayed action in the initial stage of the Badlapur incident,” said Office of Devendra on X.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde also ordered a high-level probe into the incident and said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to investigate the case and that those found guilty would face strict action.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also invoked the Shakti bill after hundreds of protesters blocked trains at the Badlapur Railway station, demonstrating against the alleged sexual assault of two young girls at a school in the state’s Badlapur district and said that strict action should be taken against those accused.
Former Chief Minister of the state, Thackeray, said that the incident at Badlapur school should not happen ‘anywhere in the country.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the entire state was outraged by the incident.
She criticised societal attitudes, saying, “The incident is on school premises. Sick perverts in our society want women to dress in a ‘decent way’, to step out during ‘safe hours’ and work in’ safe zones’, and to take charge of their ‘own safety’. What would you say to this?” Chaturvedi said.
Residents in Badlapur also staged protests against the sexual abuse of two minor girls, which occurred last week.
As per reports, the parents learned about the incident on August 18 and filed an FIR. A massive protest was held at Badlapur Railway Station on Tuesday against the alleged sexual assault incident involving two minor girls at a school in Thane district.
Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said one accused has been arrested in connection with the incident and assured that maximum punishment would be meted out to him.
The protesters, wearing black clothes, targeted the school in their demonstration. As the chaos subsided, the police were able to apprehend the individuals responsible for the stone-throwing.
The suspects were taken into custody and are being held at the local police station.
The police are continuing their investigation into the assault case and are working to maintain peace in the community.
Meanwhile, protesters at Badlapur railway station, demonstrating against the alleged sexual assault on two minors at a local school, clashed with police by pelting stones after security personnel used lathi-charge to disperse the crowd gathered in protest here on Tuesday.
This comes after police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protestors gathered at the Badlapur railway station after the demonstrators blocked the railway track, causing a halt in local trains.
Earlier in the day, police fired tear gas shells on the enraged residents who began stone pelting at the school where the crime took place.
In Thane, a shocking case of sexual abuse at Badlapur school led to widespread protests. According to the complaint, the accused, a school attendant, allegedly abused young girls in the school toilet. The girls informed their parents about the inappropriate touching, prompting the filing of a complaint and the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The police subsequently arrested the accused. In response to the incident, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, holding them accountable. The school also issued an apology and blacklisted the housekeeping firm responsible for the attendant.
(With inputs from ANI)
