Bombay HC takes suo motu cognizance on Badlapur sexual abuse

Bombay HC takes suo motu cognizance on Badlapur sexual abuse

In a new twist to the case, the Bombay High Court on Thursday has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged sexual assault of two Badlapur pre-primary school minor girls by the cleaning staff member in the washroom in the school premises.

Reportedly, a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan heard the matter today.

The case has led to pandemic
outrage among locals who took to the rail tracks and staged rail roko on August 20. The school administration is being accused of not initiating swift action against the accused. Moreover, parents of the girls were made to wait for more than 12 hours to get an FIR registered.

The crime came to light when one of the victims complained of pain and disclosed the abuse to her parents. A local doctor later confirmed the assault on both girls.

A case has been filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 65(2) which pertains to punishment for rape on woman under twelve years of age, among other charges, as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The accused was arrested and is presently in police custody till August 26.

The government has ordered the probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Arti Singh. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had assured swift action against the school, adding that the case will be fast-tracked and the guilty won’t be spared. Noted criminal advocate Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as special public prosecutor in the case.

The school management has suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, over the incident. Also, the state government on Tuesday suspended three police officials, including a senior police inspector, for alleged dereliction of duty in probing the sexual abuse of the two girls.

News Edit K.V.Raman