The chairman and secretary of a Badlapur school have sought pre-arrest bail from the Bombay High Court after being charged under the POCSO Act for failing to report a sexual assault on two girls. Their request follows a denial of anticipatory bail by a special court, with the hearing scheduled for October 1.
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MUMBAI: The chairman and secretary of a school in Badlapur have sought pre-arrest bail from the Bombay High Court. This development comes in the wake of a shocking case where a male attendant allegedly sexually assaulted two young girls, aged four and five, within the school premises.
The incident, which unfolded last month, involved the male attendant reportedly committing the heinous act inside the school washroom. In response to the grave nature of the allegations, the authorities moved swiftly to take action. A case was registered against the school’s chairman and secretary under the pertinent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, highlighting their alleged failure to report the incident to the police without delay and their negligence in ensuring the safety of the children.
The school officials sought relief from the Bombay High Court after their request for anticipatory bail was denied by a special court. The matter was brought before Justice R N Laddha today(23rd Sept), who has scheduled the next hearing for October 1. This legal maneuver indicates the officials’ desire to avoid arrest while the investigation unfolds.
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The case has garnered widespread attention, prompting a significant public outcry over the serious lapses in how the police initially handled the investigation. In light of these concerns, the Maharashtra government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter. While the male attendant has since been arrested, no action has yet been taken against the school’s chairman and secretary.
The Bombay High Court has taken Suo motu (on its own) cognizance of the case, indicating the judiciary’s proactive approach to ensuring justice for the victims. The court is closely supervising the ongoing investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the need for accountability in safeguarding children’s rights.
