The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has announced an inquiry into the shocking sexual assault of two young kindergarten girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra. The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, led to internet services being suspended in Thane district, although they have now been restored following intense protests.
The assault, involving two girls aged three and four, was allegedly perpetrated by a school sweeper in the school toilet on August 13. The horrifying crime came to light three days later when one of the victims confided in her parents. The accused, Akshay Shinde, was arrested on August 17, but by then, the community’s anger had reached a boiling point.
Protests erupted on Tuesday, with thousands of locals gathering at Badlapur railway station, bringing train services on the Ambernath-Karjat section to a standstill for over 10 hours. The agitation led to the diversion of 12 express and mail trains, the partial cancellation of 30 local trains, and the rerouting of several long-distance services. As the situation escalated, protesters resorted to violence, throwing stones at the school and vandalizing property. A nearby bus was also damaged during the unrest. Police eventually dispersed the crowd after nine hours by resorting to lathi charges to clear the railway tracks.
The parents of the victims have voiced their concerns over the delay in police action, claiming that an FIR was only registered 12 hours after they reported the crime. Adding to their distress, it was revealed that the school’s CCTV cameras were non-functional at the time of the incident. A local doctor confirmed injuries to the private parts of one of the minors, further intensifying the anger of the community.
Criticism has also been directed at the school’s management for not adhering to standard safety protocols, such as ensuring a female staff member was responsible for cleaning the girls’ washroom. This oversight, many argue, could have potentially prevented the tragic incident.
In response to the public outcry, the school management has suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant. The accused, Akshay Shinde, who had been employed on a contractual basis since August 1, remains in police custody.
Political leaders have weighed in on the issue, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanding a swift trial and justice for the victims. Thackeray has also alleged political interference, claiming the school is linked to BJP leaders and criticizing what he described as selective outrage over crimes against women.
The Maharashtra government has taken action by suspending three police officials, including a senior inspector, for their alleged failure to adequately investigate the case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to ensure a thorough probe.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the Thane Police Commissioner to propose that the case be tried in a fast-track court. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured the public that those responsible will be held accountable and that the case will be expedited to ensure justice is served.
NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanungo has accused the school authorities of attempting to cover up the incident and criticized the police for their delayed response. He has pledged that the commission will take necessary action against those who tried to suppress the case, ensuring that such negligence is not repeated in the future.
