Badlapur sexual assault case: Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis orders suspension of senior police officials for initial negligence

Badlapur (Maharashtra) [India], August 20 (ANI): Amid the outrage over the sexual assault of two minors at a school in Badlapur, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the suspension of three police officials for delaying action in the case initially.
Fadnavis ordered the immediate suspension of the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable of the Badlapur police station.
The decision comes after it was revealed that these officials delayed taking action in the initial stages of the incident, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability.
Earlier today Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi trained guns at the state government for "ignoring safety of women".
"Two young girls were sexually assaulted in Badlapur, Maharashtra on the school premises; the entire state is outraged and seeks justice. I once again urge the Rashtrapati Bhavan to approve the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, so that no other child or woman faces this travesty. Shame on the state government to continue to ignore the safety of women," Chaturvedi said.
She further criticized societal attitudes, saying, "The incident is on school premises. Sick perverts in our society want women to dress in a 'decent way', to step out during 'safe hours' and work in' safe zones', and take charge of their 'own safety'. What would you say to this?" Chaturvedi said.
Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said one accused has been arrested in connection with the incident and assured that maximum punishment would be meted out to him.
Kesarkar said, "This is a very sad incident. The entire machinery of the state education department has been activated. We have given instructions to four IAS officers from Pune and Mumbai. We are inquiring why the CCTV was not working in the school. After the complaint was given, no action was taken. So the Senior PI has been transferred. We will take this case to Fast Track court and ensure that the maximum punishment is given to the accused...Our entire department is present here and the safety of students is our priority."
He further said that a notice has been sent to the school in Badlapur where the alleged incident took place last week.
"We have decided to form Vishakha Committee for every school. Two teachers, a headmaster, a class teacher and two assistants have been suspended. The incident took place between August 13 and 16 and when no cognizance was taken for 12 hours after the complaint on August 18 then the Senior PI was transferred. One person has been arrested under POCSO and may face imprisonment of up to 13 and a half years," he said.
Earlier, a massive protest was held at Badlapur Railway Station on Tuesday in response to the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur. Protesters also pelted stones at police during the protest. Heavy security has been deployed to control the crowd protesting against the incident.
Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan reached the Badlapur railway station today to pacify the protesters and assured strict action against those responsible.
"A protest has been ongoing here for the past 5-6 hours, people are sitting on the railway track. It is natural, because this is such an incident that nobody is going to support it, it is an extremely shameful incident. But the Railway is Mumbai's lifeline. Thousands of people use this. CM and DCM have said that SIT has been formed, inquiry will be held and it will be fast-tracked...We too want that the culprit be punished at the earliest...Those who showed any negligence, action will be taken against them," Mahajan said.
The Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) said, "Local trains were stopped at Badlapur railway station due to protests against the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur." (ANI)