Maharashtra Shocker! Male cleaning staff sexually assaults two 4-yr-old girls in school toilet; NHRC seeks report

New Delhi: Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report about the alleged sexual abuse of two minor girl students by a staff member at a school in Thane district of Maharashtra, the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of the state.

The commission asked them to submit a detailed report on the matter, including the reason behind the delay in the registration of an FIR, its status, and the health of the victim girls.

The NHRC also asked them to highlight whether any counselling has been provided to the victims by the authorities or school management.

“The report should also mention the steps taken or proposed to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The response from the authorities is expected within two weeks,” the NHRC said.

According to the media report carried on August 18, 2024, the two minor girl students, aged four years, were allegedly sexually abused by a staff of a school in Thane district of Maharashtra.

The accused was engaged for cleaning the girls’ toilets in the school, where he allegedly victimised them on August 12–13, 2024, it said.

Reportedly, the parents have raised questions about why a female staff member was not deputed for cleaning the girls' washroom. Allegedly, the registration of the FIR was delayed almost 12 hours after they complained to the police in the matter, the NHRC added.

Maha Govt forms SIT, suspends police officer

Following massive public outrage over alleged sexual assault on two nursery students, the Maharashtra government formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the case of molestation of two school girls in Badlapur town of neighbouring Thane district.

Also, the police officer involved in the case has been suspended.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that an SIT has been formed and he has directed police that the accused be booked under the attempt to rape charge.

He also said that the case will be fast-tracked and a special public prosecutor will be appointed for the case.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds Home portfolio, said that the SIT will be headed by inspector-general of police Aarti Singh and a time-bound investigation has been ordered.

He further said that he had ordered the Thane Police commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector and head constable of Badlapur police station, who reportedly delayed action in initial stage of the Badlapur incident.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties have alleged that the parents of the victim girls were made to wait for 11 hours at Badlapur police station before taking their complaints.

After massive public outrage over the sexual assault, the school management has suspended its principal and two other staffers.