"Protesters demand accused be hanged before them": Maharashtra Minister on Badlapur sexual assault case

Thane (Maharashtra) [India], August 20 (ANI): Amid the protests against the alleged sexual assault of two minors at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan said that he spoke with the agitators for an hour and also requested them to vacate the railway track.
The Maharashtra Minister stated that while all the protesters' demands have been addressed, their demand for the accused to be brought before them and hanged is not feasible under the law.

Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, Minister Mahajan said, "A protest has been ongoing here for the past 10 hours. We have all opposed the incident that has taken place. I have been here since this afternoon. I spoke with the agitators for an hour and also requested them to vacate the Railway track. We have met all their demands: For trial in fast track court, we appointed Ujjwal Nikam as the advocate, action against school administration, action against negligent police officers."
"We too want stringent punishment for the accused. But the protesters wanted the accused to be brought before them and hanged before them. But we can't do that. There is no such law," said Mahajan.

Reacting to the protests, the LoP in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said that the lathi charge on protestors was wrong.
"This lathi charge on protestors is wrong. Who is Girish Mahajan? Why was he here? Is he the Home Minister? The entire Maharashtra government is not good. The CM and DCMs, don't have the right to be in the government," Danve said while taking a dig at the state government.
Meanwhile, protesters at Badlapur railway station, demonstrating against the alleged sexual assault of two minors at a local school, clashed with police by pelting stones after security personnel used lathi-charge to disperse the crowd gathered in protest here on Tuesday.
This came after police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the protestors gathered at the Badlapur railway station after the demonstrators blocked the railway track, causing a halt in local trains.
Earlier in the day, police opened tear gas on the enraged residents who began stone pelting at the school where the crime took place.
The alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra, has sparked widespread outrage.
Angry residents, demanding justice, began pelting stones at the school earlier in the day after which the situation escalated, prompting police intervention. The authorities used tear gas and other measures to control the crowd and restore order.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the alleged sexual assault of two minors at a school in Badlapur district of the state on Tuesday and said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case.
Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis also ordered the Thane Police Commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable of Badlapur police station who delayed action in the initial stage of the Badlapur incident.
Taking to his social media handle on X, Devendra Fadnavis posted, "In the Badlapur unfortunate incident, IG rank officer IPS Arti Singh is appointed immediately to conduct the inquiry. A charge sheet will be immediately filed and this matter will be heard in the fast-track court. Our police department will make complete efforts to get such barbaric, inhumane people punished immediately."
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the Thane Police Commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector, and head constable of Badlapur police station who delayed action in the initial stage of the Badlapur incident," said OfficeOfDevendra on X.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also ordered a high-level probe into the incident and said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to investigate the case and that those found guilty would face strict action.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also invoked the Shakti bill after hundreds of protesters blocked trains at the Badlapur Railway station, demonstrating against the alleged sexual assault of two young girls at a school in the state's Badlapur district and said that strict action should be taken against those accused.
Former Chief Minister of the state, Thackeray, said that the incident at Badlapur school should not happen 'anywhere in the country.
'Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed that the entire state was outraged by the incident.
She 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 to take charge of their 'own safety'. What would you say to this?" Chaturvedi said.
Residents in Badlapur also demonstrated protests against the sexual abuse of two minor girls, which occurred last week.
As per reports, the parents learned about the incident on August 18 and filed an FIR.
A massive protest was held at Badlapur Railway Station on Tuesday against the alleged sexual assault incident involving two minor girls at a school in Thane district.
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.
The protesters, wearing black clothes, targeted the school in their demonstration. As the chaos subsided, the police were able to apprehend the individuals responsible for the stone-throwing.
The suspects were taken into custody and are being held at the local police station.
The police are continuing their investigation into the assault case and are working to maintain peace in the community. (ANI)