Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Tuesday that a special public prosecutor will be appointed, and the case involving the alleged sexual abuse of two girl students at a school in Thane’s Badlapur will be fast-tracked. Shinde ordered the police to charge the accused with an attempt to rape under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. “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 for charges of attempt to rape and POCSO to be imposed,” he stated.
In Badlapur, two kindergarten students at a local school were recently sexually abused by a 23-year-old male attendant named Akshay Shinde, who was employed on a contractual basis starting August 1, 2024. The assaults occurred in the school’s toilet, where no female staff were assigned. The abuse came to light when one of the girls, aged three, complained of pain and informed her parents that Shinde had touched her inappropriately. After discussing the matter with the parents of another girl, aged four, who was also afraid to attend school, both children were examined by a local doctor, confirming that they had been sexually assaulted.
The incident sparked outrage in the community. On Tuesday, angry parents and citizens stormed the school, vandalized property, and blocked train paths at Badlapur railway station. Although some protesters hurled stones, the situation was brought under control. In response, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has warned of legal action if the school’s management is found negligent. He has directed the Thane police commissioner to handle the case with urgency and efficiency. Additionally, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) announced a review to ensure that Sakhi Savitri committees, which are designed to protect and support students, have been properly established in schools.
Here’s what we know about the case
1.The accused is a 23-year-old male cleaning staff member.
2.The assault took place when the girls went to use the toilet. No female staff were appointed by the school for the girls’ toilets. The accused, Akshay Shinde, was appointed on 1 August, 2024 on contractual basis.
3.The assault was revealed when a girl complained of pain in her private parts. She later told her parents that the accused touched her private parts when she had gone to use the toilet.
4.The parents contacted the parents of the girl’s friend. They told the former that their daughter was also scared to go to school.
5.The parents then got the girls examined by a local doctor, who revealed that they had both been sexually assaulted.
CMO promises action
6.The chief minister warned of legal action if the management of the school is found negligent, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated.
He has instructed the Thane police commissioner to ensure the case is handled with utmost urgency and efficiency. Additionally, the chief minister has called for a review to confirm whether Sakhi Savitri committees, which are designed to support and safeguard students, have been established in schools, the CMO stated.
