Bombay High Court Criticizes Police Over Handling of Badlapur Sexual Assault Case
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd August 2024
The Bombay High Court recently expressed serious concerns regarding the handling of a shocking sexual assault case in Badlapur, Maharashtra, where two kindergarten girls were allegedly assaulted by a school cleaning staff member. This incident has ignited widespread public outrage, leading to large-scale protests across the state, and drawing sharp criticism from the judiciary.
The case has provoked significant public anger, resulting in violent protests in Badlapur and other parts of Maharashtra. Demonstrators stormed the school where the incident occurred, vandalizing property, and blocking railway tracks in a show of defiance against the authorities’ perceived inaction. These protests turned violent, with at least 25 police personnel injured during stone-pelting incidents at the Badlapur railway station and other locations.
During a hearing on Thursday, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance of the case and harshly criticized the Badlapur police for their handling of the investigation. The court, led by a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj K Chavan, questioned why the statement of the second victim’s father had not been recorded by the police. The judges demanded details on the measures being implemented to ensure the safety and security of the young victims.
The court emphasized that the state must leave no stone unturned in the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was formed following public outcry. One of the judges remarked on the alarming state of safety in schools, questioning the relevance of discussing the right to education when even 4-year-old girls are not spared from such heinous acts.
The bench highlighted several lapses in the case, including the failure of the school authorities to report the incident to the police as mandated by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. The SIT’s chief, IGP Arti Singh, assured the court that those responsible would face action. The court also noted that the police only took significant action after public outrage, questioning whether the state would have acted without the strong public reaction.
Following the incident, the Maharashtra government introduced new safety guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future. These measures include the establishment of a student safety committee in each school within a week, the installation of CCTV cameras within a month, and the introduction of a complaint box system for students to report concerns.
In response to the escalating violence during protests, authorities suspended internet services in the town and arrested 72 individuals involved in the unrest. The male attendant accused of the assault was arrested on August 17 and remains in police custody.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered a high-level probe into the incident, with a Special Investigation Team led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh tasked with the investigation. Meanwhile, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has announced a statewide bandh on August 24 to protest the incident, highlighting concerns over women’s security in the state.
The case has also seen political undertones, with CM Shinde suggesting the protests were politically motivated, a claim dismissed by Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), who insists the protests are focused on ensuring women’s safety. The government has also fast-tracked the trial process, appointing Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor for the case.
