Two four-year-old girls were sexually assaulted at an English medium school by a cleaning staff in Maharashtra's Thane. The incident has triggered massive protests, with residents blocking the Mumbai rail route at Badlapur railway station, bringing train services to a standstill.
Visuals showed protesters pelting stones at cops as they fled across the railway tracks.
The two four-year-old girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by a 23-year-old male cleaning staff member inside the girls' toilet at their school on August 16. The accused has since been arrested after an FIR was filed against him.
The school's response to the incident has done little to quell the fury of the parents and local residents. Although the school administration has suspended the principal and dismissed the class teacher and nanny involved, parents remain dissatisfied.
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.
Investigations by the police have uncovered significant lapses in the school's security measures. The probe has revealed that there were no female attendants present in the girls' toilets, 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 cognisance 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.
Leader of 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 politicisation," he added.
