A wave of public outrage has erupted in Badlapur, Thane, after the shocking revelation of an alleged sexual assault on two kindergarten students at a local school. The incident has sparked widespread protests, leading to the blockage of railway tracks and a strong response from the state government.

The Incident:

The horrifying incident came to light when two young girls, aged three and four, reported pain in their private parts after attending school. The parents of one of the victims, concerned by their daughter’s distress, questioned her and discovered that she had been sexually assaulted by a male attendant at the school. The accused, 23-year-old Akshay Shinde, was reportedly employed on a contractual basis as a cleaner. It was revealed that the assault occurred when the girls went to use the toilet, a space shockingly unmonitored by female staff, a glaring oversight by the school administration.

Public Outcry:

As news of the assault spread, parents and local citizens were overcome with anger and fear for the safety of their children. On Tuesday, they stormed the school, expressing their fury by vandalizing the premises. The protests quickly escalated, with demonstrators blocking railway tracks at Badlapur railway station, disrupting train services from as early as 8:30 am. The protest turned violent at points, with some agitators hurling stones, but the situation was eventually brought under control by the police.

Government Response:

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken swift action in response to the incident. He has ordered the police to impose charges of attempted rape against the accused, alongside provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Chief Minister announced that a special public prosecutor would be appointed to fast-track the case, ensuring that justice is served promptly.

School Management Under Scrutiny:

The school management has also come under intense scrutiny following the incident. The principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant have been suspended as investigations continue. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has warned of strict legal action if the school’s management is found negligent or complicit in the crime. Additionally, the CMO has called for a thorough review of the implementation of Sakhi Savitri committees in schools, which are intended to protect and support students.

Conclusion:

The Badlapur incident has sent shockwaves through the community, igniting a conversation about the safety of children in educational institutions. As protests continue and investigations proceed, the public is demanding accountability and swift justice for the victims. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and proper oversight in schools to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

In a tragic incident at Versova Beach, Mumbai, a 36-year-old rickshaw driver, Ganesh Yadav, was crushed to death by a speeding SUV in the early hours of August 12. Yadav, along with fellow rickshaw driver Bablu Srivastava, was sleeping on the beach pavement to escape the city’s humidity when the fatal accident occurred.

The Versova police swiftly arrested the two accused, Nikhil Jawale (34) and Shubam Dongre (33), and charged them with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The suspects were produced before a local court in Andheri, where they were remanded to five days in police custody for further investigation. Authorities have also sent their blood samples for testing to determine if they were driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

The shocking rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata has taken a disturbing turn, as her parents allege in court that she was gang-raped before being strangled to death. The Calcutta High Court has now transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), raising serious questions about the hospital administration’s handling of the case.

According to the petition filed by the victim’s parents, the postmortem report revealed that a significant amount of semen—150 mg—was found in her body, suggesting the involvement of multiple perpetrators. The cause of death was determined to be neck strangulation, with the report also indicating clear signs of sexual assault and brutal violence.

The petition further detailed the extent of the injuries sustained by the victim, including trauma to her head, injuries to both ears, and bite marks on her neck. The parents highlighted that these injuries pointed to a violent struggle, and the autopsy findings supported the suspicion of gang rape.

Before the case was transferred to the CBI, the state police had arrested Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer known to frequent the hospital. However, the victim’s parents expressed their frustration in the petition, stating that no other suspects had been arrested despite the evidence indicating multiple offenders.

The Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the case to the CBI came after a scathing critique of the hospital administration, particularly its former principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh. The court questioned why the hospital authorities failed to file a police complaint after the doctor’s body was discovered. The court also criticized the state government for appointing Dr. Ghosh to another medical college just hours after his resignation from RG Kar Medical College.

The parents’ petition also pointed out that there is evidence suggesting that at least three individuals were involved in the strangulation. They alleged that the autopsy was conducted hastily and improperly, potentially to shield other individuals involved in their daughter’s death.

The state government’s counsel argued that the victim’s inquest and postmortem were conducted in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate and two lady doctors, with the entire process being videographed. The counsel maintained that the postmortem report had been shared with the victim’s family.

With the CBI now in charge of the investigation, the central agency has divided its team into three groups. One team will inspect the seminar hall where the doctor’s body was found, another will handle legal proceedings concerning the accused, Sanjoy Roy, and the third will collaborate with Kolkata Police officers who were previously investigating the case.

The transfer of the investigation to the CBI marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victim, as her family continues to seek answers and accountability for the horrific crime.