The Bombay High Court, on Wednesday(23rd Oct), questioned the Maharashtra Government about the actions taken against police officials for lapses in filing an FIR and investigating the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district.
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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court, on Wednesday(23rd Oct), questioned the Maharashtra Government about the actions taken against police officials for lapses in filing an FIR and investigating the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district.
A division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan observed that a departmental inquiry had been initiated against the erring police personnel.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the court that the inquiry found one officer guilty of dereliction of duty, and the report has been forwarded to the police commissioner for further action.
BRIEF FACTS
The incident, involving the sexual abuse of two girls aged four and five by a male attendant in the school’s restroom, occurred in August. Initially investigated by the Badlapur police, the Maharashtra government later constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after public outrage over shortcomings in the police inquiry. Although the accused attendant was arrested, he was killed in a police encounter.
The High Court took suo motu cognisance of the case and has since been overseeing the investigation. The bench scheduled the matter for further hearing in six weeks, instructing the state to report on actions taken against the concerned police officers.
READ ALSO: Badlapur Encounter Case: Petition Moved in Supreme Court Seeking to Form an SIT
Additionally, the court reiterated its earlier direction for the formation of a committee to study the safety and security of children in schools and other educational institutions. It requested that the report, if completed, be submitted by the next hearing.
Saraf assured the court that all necessary steps for the victims’ welfare had been undertaken, adding that compensation under the state’s Manodhairya scheme had already been disbursed to the victims’ families.
READ PREVIOUS REPORTS ON BADLAPUR ASSAULT CASE
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