A family member of one of the two kindergarten girls who were sexually abused at a school in Maharashtra’s Badlapur has accused the school authorities and police of gross negligence and harassment.Speaking to India Today TV, the family member alleged that the school principal dismissed the medical report confirming sexual assault and instead suggested that the girl might have suffered injuries to her private parts while riding a bicycle.
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The family member also said that the girl’s parents were made to wait for long hours both at the hospital and the police station. They were allegedly threatened by police officers and asked not to participate in public protests against the handling of the case.
These allegations have raised fresh questions about the initial handling of the Badlapur sexual abuse case by local authorities. Two girls, aged three and four, were sexually abused by a sweeper at a school in Badlapur on August 12-13. The family of one of the girls admitted her to a private hospital for a medical examination. After the report confirmed injuries on the girls’ private parts, the family went to the school on August 16 with a report, but the school rejected it.
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The family member said that they later went to the police station to lodge a report. However, their complaints were not taken seriously immediately. It took 12 hours for the FIR to be registered and it was finally registered after the intervention of local MNS leaders. The family member alleged that even after this, the police made several changes to their statement in the FIR.The accused has been identified as Akshay Shinde, who was arrested on August 17.
Further, the family member said that the girl and her parents had to wait for a long time both at the hospital and the police station. The family member said that they had to go for a medical test at the government hospital at 9 am on August 17, but the police arrived only at 11.45 am.
The girl and her father and pregnant mother had to wait for hours, which further increased their troubles.The family member said that the entire family is now facing serious health issues. He said that the girl is in shock and is refusing to meet anyone. Her pregnant mother is extremely ill and has to run between the hospital and the police station. The father is bed-ridden and the family is upset with the constant questioning by the police.
Allegations against the school
The family member said that the school principal and teacher were informed about the incident but they did not take any action. The family member said that even though the medical report confirmed the assault, the principal and teacher claimed that the injury could have been caused outside the school or while riding a bicycle.
The girl’s parents also asked the school why there was no female staff present when the children had to go to the toilet. The accused sexually abused both the girls in the toilet.
The family member claimed that they came to know that a girl student was sexually abused in the school earlier. The family member alleged that we came to know that a male teacher of the same school had committed a similar crime with a class 8 girl.
The family has also accused a female police officer of holding a secret meeting with the school management to hide the incident. After this meeting, the officer reportedly dismissed the family’s claims despite medical evidence. She said no such incident had taken place and asked us not to spread a false story, the family member said.
Allegations of intimidation by police
The police handling of the case and allegations of local officials trying to cover up the matter led to a day-long massive protest in Baldapur on Tuesday, August 20. Angry locals vandalised the school and a mob at the Badlapur railway station disrupted train services.
The family member claimed that senior police officials had warned them not to participate in the protest. They were allegedly threatened with serious legal consequences, including charges of inciting a protest, if they were seen agitating.
The family member further said that a police officer had asked them to give it in writing that they did not want any protests. However, the family refused to do so and said that while they had not called for a protest, they would not give any written statement rejecting it either. What the girl’s family is demanding The girl’s family is demanding the death penalty for the accused, arguing that such a drastic measure is necessary to prevent future crimes. They also want action against the school principal and teacher, who they believe failed in their duty to protect the students and respond to the situation in an appropriate manner. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Bombay High Court took cognizance of the sexual abuse case and reprimanded the police, noting that they acted only after public outrage.
