The incidents of assault on two four-year-old girls by a cleaner named Akshay Shinde at a school in Badlapur, Thane, have led to significant developments. Following the Bombay High Court’s criticism of the authorities for not taking action against other suspects in the case, two school trustees, Uday Kotwal and Tushar Apte, have been arrested by the state-appointed special investigation team (SIT) with the assistance of the Thane crime branch.
The assaults occurred on August 12 and 13 and were reported to the school principal by the girls’ parents. However, the trustees failed to take prompt action, leading to their arrest on charges of non-reporting of sexual assault on minors, which is punishable under the POCSO Act, 2012. The police also found that the school’s CCTV footage had been tampered with, raising further concerns.
Kotwal and Apte claimed that they were unaware of the assaults until the police approached them for questioning. Despite their attempts to secure bail, the courts rejected their pleas, leading to their eventual arrest. The SIT collaborated with the Thane crime branch to apprehend the trustees in Karjat, Raigad district.
The arrests come amidst public outrage and protests in Badlapur, with citizens demanding justice for the victims. The main accused, Akshay Shinde, who was a cleaner at the school, was arrested earlier and subsequently killed by the police in an alleged encounter. The delays in taking action against the trustees have sparked criticism and accusations of political interference.
The case has highlighted the importance of timely and effective response to incidents of sexual assault, especially when children are involved. It serves as a reminder of the need for strict enforcement of laws to protect minors from such heinous crimes.
As the investigation continues and the legal proceedings unfold, it is crucial for the authorities to ensure that justice is served and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. The community must come together to support the victims and their families during this challenging time.
