Mumbai, India

The principal, class teacher and female attendant of a school in Mumbai's Thane district have been suspended after two nursery students, aged four, were sexually abused by the sweeper. 

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The school administration had also formed an inquiry committee to prevent similar incidents in the future. CCTV cameras were being installed across the facility as the parents demanded protection for their kids. 

Meanwhile, the accused worker who was employed at the reputed school on a contractual basis, has been sacked and arrested. As per the complaint, the accused sweeper sexually abused the girls in the toilet of the school. 

Widespread protests were triggered in the aftermath of the incident when police delayed registering the First Information Report (FIR) at the request of the parents of the children. 

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According to reports, the locals, supported by the rickshaw union, traders' union and jewellers association among others have come together to hold a bandh (closure of businesses).

On Tuesday (Aug 20), irate parents and citizens ventured onto the tracks at the Badlapur railway station to block the path of trains and draw the administration's attention to their demand. 

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'Sad incident'

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he was pressing to fast-track the case so that no accused was spared. 

"I have taken serious cognizance of the incident in Badlapur. An SIT is already formed in this matter and we are also going to take action against the school where the incident took place. We are in the process to fast-track this case, and no one will be spared if found guilty," said Shinde. 

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Meanwhile, Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said the state government had put four civil servants to oversee the developments in the case.  

"This is a very sad incident. The entire machinery of the state education department has been activated. We have given instructions to 4 IAS officers from Pune and Mumbai. We are inquiring why the CCTV was not working in the school, said Kesarkar. 

"After the complaint was given, no action was taken. So the senior PI has been transferred. We will take this case to fast-track court and ensure that the maximum punishment is given to the accused. Our entire department is present here and the safety of students is our priority," added Kesarkar. 

The case has since been transferred to the special branch by the Thane Police and the sweeper has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.  

(With inputs from agencies)