The Bombay High Court has criticized the Maharashtra government for not taking action on the formation of a Child Safety Committee, despite directives after the Badlapur school sexual assault case. The government's assurances do not match their actions, the division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan stated. The court had earlier directed the formation of a committee to make recommendations on the safety and security of children in schools, but none of the members have been contacted by the government.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar apologises for the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Malvan fort. In other news, the Bombay High Court emphasises the need for gender sensitisation among schoolchildren during the Badlapur sexual abuse case hearing and directs the SIT to invoke Section 16 of the POCSO Act. The weather bureau predicts moderate showers for Mumbai. Meanwhile, Maharashtra cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar defends his controversial remarks on the statue collapse and demands a 100-ft statue of Shivaji in Sindhudurg.
In response to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's call for a statewide bandh in Maharashtra to protest against the sexual assault of two kindergarten girls in Thane's Badlapur, the Bombay High Court has restrained all political parties and individuals from participating. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has called for a strict observance of the bandh, but with exception for emergency services. He has also demanded the withdrawal of charges against those who protested the incident and criticized the government's actions against the protesters. This decision was made after a meeting of the MVA coalition, consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), on Wednesday.
A huge protest sparked in Badlapur, Maharashtra, over the alleged sexual abuse of two young girls which led to clashes between protesters and police. Internet services in the town have been suspended and additional police forces have been deployed to maintain order. The police have arrested 72 people in connection with the violence and the situation is slowly returning to normal in the town.
Badlapur residents occupied railway tracks for nearly nine hours on Tuesday in protest of the alleged sexual assault of two toddlers at a local school. The disruption, which is the first in recent memory over a non-railway issue, led to the cancellation and diversion of multiple train services. Despite efforts from senior police officers and local leaders, the protesters demanded immediate action against the accused, resulting in a lathi-charge and police clearing the tracks by 5.50 pm.
Huge protests erupted at the Badlapur railway station in Thane district as people demanded justice for the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten students. A woman journalist covering the protest reported that a local leader of the Shiv Sena, Waman Mhatre, made derogatory comments towards her, accusing her of acting like she had been raped. Mhatre, on the other hand, claims his words were misinterpreted and that he was only asking for factual information to be provided to the protesters. The Mumbai Press Club condemned his statements and demanded action from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Amidst protests and disruptions of local train services in Badlapur, the Maharashtra government has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged sexual abuse of two female students at a school. The incident has sparked outrage in the state, with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray demanding a fast-track trial for the perpetrators. The state education minister also revealed that the CCTVs in the school were not functioning during the time of the incident. Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition has called for the suspension of police officials who initially refused to file an FIR in the case.
In Maharashtra's Thane district, the management of a school has suspended its principal and two staffers following the alleged sexual abuse of two girls aged three and four. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and citizens, leading to a protest at the Badlapur railway station. The police have already arrested a school attendant for the abuse, but the parents are demanding stricter action against those responsible. This protest has also triggered a call for a local bandh (strike) in Badlapur.