Maharashtra: Two girls, aged four, sexually assaulted by cleaning staff at Thane school
Maharashtra, Aug 20 : Two nursery students, both aged four, were sexually assaulted by a cleaning staff at a reputed school in Thane district triggering a massive protest on Tuesday.
Protesters brought local train services to a halt at Badlapur railway station. A protest was also held outside the school where the incident occurred. The protesters demanded harsh punishment for the accused.
The incident, according to reports, occurred last week. The parents came to know about the abuse on August 18 following which they lodged a police complaint.
The 24-year-old accused was arrested on Saturday.
According to TOI, the school administration on Monday suspended the principal, class teacher and female attendant, holding them responsible for the incident.
It was only after the District Women and Child Welfare Department intervened, that police registered a case under the POCSO Act, the report said.
A call for Badlapur bandh has been given by several organisations to protest against the incident.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday demanded a fast-track trial and speedy justice in the case.
“The case should be fast-tracked, and the victims should be ensured speedy justice,” he told reporters.
He also alleged that school management has links to BJP leaders.
Taking a jibe at BJP’s response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, he said that politics was being done over crime against women by targeting certain states.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the police to invoke the attempt to rape charge against the arrested accused.
He said the case will be fast-tracked, and a special public prosecutor will be appointed.
-The New Indian Express
