After the turmoil in Badlapur, Maharashtra, a disgraceful incident has emerged in Akola involving schoolgirls. A government school teacher was showing obscene videos to female students, for which an FIR has been registered. It is alleged that the teacher had been indulging in this act for about four months. The students contacted the Child Welfare Committee and disclosed the entire matter. This incident came to light amidst significant protests over the sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls in Badlapur.
According to the agency, this incident took place in a district council school in Kazikhed, Akola. A 47-year-old teacher had been showing obscene videos to six schoolgirls for four months. He would forcefully show the videos to the students, causing them distress. Fed up, the students called the Child Welfare Committee's toll-free number and lodged a complaint.
On Tuesday morning, based on the complaint, a team from the Child Welfare Committee reached the school, and after speaking with the students, filed a case against the teacher. The police stated that six students had lodged complaints that a teacher had been showing obscene videos in the school for the past four months.
An FIR has been registered against the teacher following the students' complaints. The accused teacher has been detained for questioning, and further investigation is underway. In this matter, former member of the state women's commission, Asha Mirg, has also demanded strict action against the teacher.
Protests erupted over sexual abuse incidents in Badlapur
Earlier, a similar disgraceful incident came to light in the Thane district's Badlapur. A school attendant sexually abused three and four-year-old kindergarten girls. The matter surfaced when the victims reported it to their parents, leading to a registered case.
Source: aajtak
The police took action under the POCSO Act, arresting a school attendant on August 17 for sexually abusing two kindergarten girls. The Maharashtra government has ordered the formation of an SIT, headed by senior IPS officer Arti Singh, to investigate this case.
Read more: Outrage in Badlapur over hideous acts against four-year-old girls, thousands take to the streets
Upon learning about this incident, the entire area erupted in protests, with thousands of demonstrators blocking the railway tracks at Badlapur station, disrupting local train services. Long-distance trains had to be rerouted. Protesters threw stones at the police and vandalized the school building at Badlapur railway station. The police quelled the demonstration with a baton charge, ending the protest after nine hours.
Opposition parties alleged that the parents of the victims had to wait for 11 hours at the Badlapur police station before their complaint was finally registered.
School management apologizes after the incident
The school administration apologized for the incident and stated that it had blacklisted the firm responsible for housekeeping services. In response to the incident, they have increased vigilance around the school premises. After the incident, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, while the state government ordered the suspension of three police officers, including a senior police inspector.
Source: aajtak
Sudhakar Pathare, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone IV, stated that a case was registered against the accused, who was apprehended within three and a half hours of the FIR being filed. He advised the people of Badlapur to avoid taking to the streets or joining protests as it hinders the investigation process. The police administration is dedicated to resolving the matter.
Uddhav Thackeray calls for fast-track court hearings
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has called for expedited hearings in the case of sexual abuse of schoolgirls in Badlapur. He stated that while the state government is running various schemes, the safety of girls and women remains a significant concern. He criticized the selective targeting of states and the political exploitation of crimes against women.
In the State Legislative Council, Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve criticized the government's police action. He targeted the government and police, announcing that his party would launch a statewide movement against the ruling coalition.