Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Tuesday that he has instructed the police to file a case of attempted rape against the accused arrested in the Badlapur school sexual harassment case. He also mentioned that the case will be fast-tracked with the appointment of a special public prosecutor.
The Chief Minister said, “I have spoken to the Thane Police Commissioner. The accused has been arrested. I have asked for the case to be expedited and for charges of attempted rape and under the POCSO Act to be filed.”
Hundreds of parents of children studying at the Badlapur school have been protesting at the railway station since Tuesday morning. They are demanding strict action against the accused and condemning the incident. The protest has disrupted suburban train services.
The Chief Minister has appealed to parents to remain calm. Thane’s District Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai described the incident as unfortunate. He said he has asked the Thane District Collector to investigate the matter.
Desai added, “There will be two investigations: one by the education department and another by the regional police deputy commissioner. This will help determine why there was a delay in filing the case as alleged by the parents.”
School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar stated that no action was taken for 12 hours after the parents filed a complaint with the police, which led to the transfer of a police officer. He also mentioned that a notice has been issued to the school, and the principal and a class teacher have been suspended.
Kesarkar said that he has ordered the formation of Vishaka Committees in schools. A school employee has been arrested for allegedly abusing two young girls in the school’s kindergarten. According to the complaint, the employee misbehaved with the girls in the school toilet.
The girls informed their parents that the employee touched them inappropriately, leading to a complaint and the subsequent arrest of the accused.
