Badlapur Protests: 3 Cops, School Principal Suspended In Thane Sexual Assault Case

Badlapur railway station in Maharashtra's Thane district saw thousands of protesters on Tuesday blocking train tracks over the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a school sweeper in the washroom. The horrifying incident triggered massive protests all around, with residents blocking the Mumbai rail route at Badalpur railway station, bringing train services to a standstill.          

Visuals showed protesters pelting stones at cops as they fled across the railway tracks. The minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by a 23-year-old male cleaning staff member inside the girls' toilet at their school on August 16, Friday. The accused has since been arrested after an FIR had been filed against him.                          

Meanwhile, the concerned school's response to the incident had done little to quell the fury of the parents and residents. Although the school's administration had suspended the principal and dismissed the class teacher and nanny involved, parents remained dissatisfied. 

Public protests against lacklustre authorities

Many parents believe that the school has failed to take full responsibility for the safety of their children, and they are particularly incensed by the lack of an official apology or assurance from the school management. The lack of accountability from the school administration has provoked the public to question and protest against such wrongdoings.     

What further enraged the protesters is the fact that the parents of the girls were made to wait 11 hours at a local police station for a First Information Report. The three police personnel involved have been suspended by the government, reports NDTV.

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Corresponding to this, investigations made by the police have uncovered significant lapses in the school's security measures. The probe revealed that there were no female attendants present in the girls' toilet which is a basic safety requirement in any educational setting. Additionally, many of the school's CCTV cameras were found to be non-functional.                   

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sexual assault cases. He has also ordered the Thane Police Commissioner to submit a proposal today to take the case to a fastrack court.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also taken cognizance of the incident."I have taken serious cognizance of the incident in Badlapur. An SIT is already formed in this matter and we are also going to take action against the school where the incident took place. We are in the process to fast-track this case, and no one will be spared if found guilty," he said.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra, Vijay Wadettiwar has alleged a breakdown in the law and order situation. "This incident is going to bring shame to Maharashtra. Everyone is demanding that the case be tried on fast track and the accused be hanged within three months," the Congress leader said.

Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanded punishment for the culprits as soon as possible. "Ten years ago, Nirbhaya (case) happened in Delhi and the guilty were punished, but after how long? Those delaying justice should also be held guilty. There should be no politicization," he added.