In August 2024, a male sweeper was alleged to have sexually abused two four-year-old girls at a prominent co-educational school in Badlapur, Maharashtra, India. The case has led to widespread protests and significant public outrage, particularly in the Thane district.[1][2][3][4]
| Badlapur School Sexual Abuse Case | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | August 12–13, 2024 | |||
| Location | ||||
| Caused by | Alleged sexual abuse of two minor girls by a school sweeper | |||
| Status | Ongoing investigation | |||
| Parties | ||||
| ||||
| Lead figures | ||||
Accused Parents, Local Residents Maharashtra State Government, Thane Police | ||||
| Number | ||||
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| Casualties and losses | ||||
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Incident
editOn 12 and 13 August 2024, a 23-year-old male cleaner employed at the school on a contractual basis allegedly assaulted two pre-primary students in the school's washroom. The incidents were brought to light when one of the victims complained of pain to her parents, which led to the discovery that a second girl had also been assaulted.
Investigation and legal proceedings
editThe accused was arrested on 17 August, following the filing of a First information report (FIR) by the parents on 16 August.[5][6][7]
A man was subsequently charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) and was remanded in police custody until 26 August.[8][9][10]
Reactions
editPublic reaction and protests
editFollowing the allegations, the parents of the victims and thousands of local residents initiated protests against the school administration for alleged negligence and an attempted cover-up. The protests escalated on 20 August, with demonstrators blocking train tracks at Badlapur railway station, leading to widespread disruption of train services.[11] The situation further deteriorated when the protests turned violent, resulting in a police lathi charge and stone-pelting that left several individuals, including police officers, injured.[12][13][14]
Government and institutional responses
editThe incident prompted sharp criticism of the school's handling of the situation and the delayed legal proceedings. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition announced a state-wide bandh on August 24, 2024, to protest against the incident and demand swift justice for the victims.[15][16] Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a special investigation team (SIT) to be led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh to investigate the case.[17][18][19]
The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights criticised the school management for allegedly attempting to cover up the incident instead of reporting it to the authorities. This led to the suspension of the school principal and several staff members. The state government announced the formation of 'Vishaka Committees' in schools to address grievances related to sexual harassment and offending and ensure the proper functioning of CCTV cameras on school premises.[20][21][22]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Badlapur: Protests in over alleged sexual abuse of school girls". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Thane School Case Live Updates: CM calls Badlapur protest politically motivated; MVA calls for Maharashtra bandh on August 24". The Times of India. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Badlapur Girls Sexual Assault Case: School Management Tried To Cover It Says State Child Rights Panel Chief". Zee News. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Badlapur case: Accused Akshay Shinde buried in Ulhasnagar". The Hindu.
- ^ "Who Is Akshay Shinde, The School Attendant Arrested In Badlapur Sexual Abuse Case?". News18. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Maharashtra horror: Massive protest near Mumbai over kids' molestation at Badlapur school". The Times of India. 2024-08-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Badlapur school case: FIR against 300 people registered, Over 40 arrested - Watch video. Retrieved 2024-08-21 – via www.mid-day.com.
- ^ "Badlapur school covered up girls' sex abuse, ignored parents' complaint: Official". India Today. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ MS, Sahyaja (2024-08-20). "Lawyers urge Bombay High Court to take cognizance of sexual assault on minors in Badlapur school". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Badlapur School Sex Abuse Case: Uddhav Thackeray Demands Death Penalty, Fast-Track Court For Perpetrators Amid Protests". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Bureau, ABP News (2024-08-21). "Badlapur School Case: Internet Shut Down, 40 Arrested After Intense Protests Against Sexual Ass". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Badlapur school sexual abuse: Maha Vikas Aghadi calls for Maharashtra bandh on August 24 – Top updates here". Financialexpress. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ PTI. "Badlapur sexual abuse case: Angry parents, other protesters vandalise school building, block railway tracks". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Badlapur School Sexual Assault Case: School did not have operational CCTVs, 12-hour delay in filing complaint – Top Developments". Financialexpress. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Badlapur Rape Case: Maha Vikas Aghadi Calls for Maharashtra Bandh on August 24". www.india.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Mukherjee, Srishti (2024-08-21). "Badlapur Sexual Abuse Case: MSCPCR Chief Criticizes School Administration For Mishandling Sexual Abuse Case In Badlapur -". Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Woman IPS officer to probe Badlapur incident: Devendra Fadnavis". The Economic Times. 2024-08-20. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Bureau, ABP News (2024-08-20). "Badlapur School Kids Sexual Assault: Fadnavis Orders SIT, Education Dept Suspends 4 Teachers". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ PTI (2024-08-20). "Woman IPS officer to probe Badlapur incident: Devendra Fadnavis". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Maharashtra Schools to Establish Vishakha Committees After Badlapur Incident". Times Now. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Badlapur Sex Abuse Row: Schools To Implement 'Vishakha Committees' For Sexual Harassment Prevention, Announces Deepak Kesarkar". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ PTI (2024-08-20). "Schools to form Vishakha committees: Maha education minister after Badlapur incident". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-08-21.