In the wake of allegations surrounding a sexual assault case in Badlapur, State Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar has demanded the dismissal of the school management for their alleged negligence. The case has sparked significant controversy, revealing gaps in both the school’s and the police’s handling of the incident.
BulletsIn
- State Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar has announced relief for the victims’ families and called for the dismissal of the school management involved in the Badlapur sexual assault case.
- Kesarkar criticized the class teacher, Dipali Deshpande, for failing to report the incident to the police despite being informed by the victims’ grandparents.
- The principal, Archana Athawale, was also aware of the incident on August 14, leading to the addition of sections 19(2) and 21 under the POCSO Act, which pertain to the failure to report the crime.
- Kesarkar has proposed issuing a notice to the school, suggesting the dissolution of its management committee if their involvement is confirmed.
- A two-member committee was formed by Kesarkar following protests, to investigate the case, interviewing various stakeholders including the school’s president and the chief civil surgeon.
- The committee’s findings revealed a lack of transparency and urgency in the police investigation, with significant delays in conducting the medical examination of the victims.
- The victims were sent to Ulhasnagar Central Hospital for examination but had to wait until 3:30 a.m. and were asked to return the next day, causing further complications in evidence gathering.
- The committee also found that the school had not conducted background checks on the accused, who was hired through an external vendor, raising concerns about the legality of the recruitment process.
- The government has appointed Kunda Patil, Deputy Education Officer at Thane, to manage the school’s affairs and ensure the activation of CCTV cameras following the school’s reopening.
- The suspended senior police inspector of Badlapur East police station, who was the investigating officer, refused to participate in the probe, citing mental health reasons.
