Badlapur case: School admin ‘covered up’ sex abuse of two girls, brushed off parents’ concerns
Protests at Badlapur railway station after sex abuse case surfaces
The school at the centre of the Badlapur sexual assault controversy in Maharashtra state tried to cover up the incident instead of helping parents seek justice, a state official revealed Wednesday (Aug 21). Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson, Susieben Shah, said the abuse of the two Kindergarten girls, aged three and four, by a male cleaning staffer was a clear case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act.
She also alleged that if school management had informed the authorities earlier, the parents wouldn’t have to wait for 12 hours to get their complaint registered. Meanwhile, the state government has already suspended three police officers for alleged dereliction of duty in probing the case.
The principal of the school "chose not to contact the police" despite being apprised of the incident, Shah alleged, adding that she went to the school management instead. "When I asked the school management about the case, they tried to cover it up. I even asked them why POCSO provisions should not be invoked against the school management," she said.
She also reportedly raised the matter and the parents’ concerns with the Thane District Child Protection Unit.
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson, Priyank Kanungo, also alleged that school authorities tried to suppress the case, and police didn’t register the case timely.
Watch:Badlapur Sexual Assault Case: Court sends accused to custody till 26 August
Police earlier arrested the prime accused, Akshay Shinde amid heavy protests at the Badlapur railway station. Protesters even resorted to violence, prompting police to use force. Police have now arrested over 70 people and filed five FIRs against over 500 people in connection with the violence at Badlapur protests.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde alleged that these protests were politically motivated and most of the participants were outsiders.
To calm the situation, authorities even suspended internet in the city on Tuesday evening, which was expected to continue through Wednesday.
(With inputs from agencies)