In Adarsh Vidhyalaya, located in Badlapur, Thane, a worker of a cleaning contractor molested two young girls in the nursery class. This shocking incident led to a public outcry, with residents protesting outside the school on Tuesday. The number of protesters quickly grew, and furious crowds began marching through the city with banners and posters. Subsequently, they started blocking the railway station.
A large number of parents and local residents gathered at the school gate, expressing their anger at the school's negligence. The lack of a firm stance from the school administration further fueled their frustration. Taking their protests to the railway tracks, people began shouting slogans. When the police attempted to disperse the crowd, it resulted in stone pelting towards the authorities.
The protests on the tracks impacted train services significantly. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the angry crowd blocking the railway tracks. The situation escalated to a clash between the enraged public and the police force. The molestation incident has become a major issue.
State's Firm Stand: CM
Addressing the incident in Badlapur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized the seriousness of the issue. He shared that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter, and assured that stern action would be taken against the school where the incident happened. No one found guilty will be spared.
Deputy CM Orders SIT Formation
Following this incident, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the formation of a SIT. This SIT will be led by senior IPS officer Aarti Singh, who holds the rank of IG. The team will thoroughly investigate the Badlapur case. Additionally, the Thane Police Commissioner has been urged to propose taking the case to a fast-track court to ensure speedy and strict action against the accused.
Protesters Block Railway Tracks
Thousands of angry people have taken to the railway tracks in Badlapur, severely disrupting local train services. Trains departing from Mumbai are being rerouted to their destinations via alternative routes, as the protesters refuse to budge from the tracks, rallying against the incident.
School Staff Molested Nursery Girls
In Adarsh School, Badlapur, a staff member accused of molestation had targeted two three-and-a-half-year-old students. The accused, Akshay Shinde, has been arrested by the police. However, the anger and unrest among the locals persist. Parents and residents continue to demonstrate, demanding strong measures to ensure their children's safety.
Source: aajtak
Action Taken Against Principal, Class Teacher, and Police Inspector
In response to the incident, the school administration has suspended the principal and class teacher. Additionally, police inspector Shubha Shitole has been transferred for allegedly showing a lax attitude during the investigation. The case has been registered under the POCSO Act, and a fast-track court hearing has been proposed to expedite justice.
Police Appeals for Calm
DCP Sudhakar Pathare has called for cooperation from the city residents. He assured that the accused was arrested within three and a half hours of the case being registered and has been remanded in police custody by the court. DCP Pathare urged the public to support the police's investigation efforts to get to the bottom of this serious matter and ensure justice.
The DCP further clarified that any attempts to organize city shutdowns or movements that could hinder investigations would face strict actions. The police are committed to ensuring that the guilty are brought to justice without any delays or laxity.
