The Bombay High Court has expressed grave concern over the safety of educational institutions after taking suo moto cognizance of a recent case involving the sexual assault of two young girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra. The court’s bench, consisting of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Prithivraj Chavan, criticized both the police and state authorities for their handling of the case, emphasizing the inadequacies in protecting children’s rights and ensuring their safety.
During Thursday’s hearing, the court raised a fundamental question about the efficacy of the ‘right to education’ if schools cannot guarantee safety. “If schools are not a safe place… then what is the point of talking about ‘right to education’?” Justice Dere remarked. This statement came in response to revelations that despite complaints from the victims’ families, no case had been filed against the school where the assaults occurred.
The court expressed its shock at the police’s failure to act promptly. Similar to the recent delay in filing a case at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, the Badlapur police’s delay in addressing the complaints against the school drew severe criticism. The court demanded an explanation for why a case against the school had not been filed immediately after the FIR was lodged.
Further scrutiny revealed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the case had not yet registered a case against the school authorities, a lapse that the court found unacceptable. Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the state, acknowledged the formation of the SIT but was rebuked for the slow pace of the investigation. The court stressed that the immediate registration of a case against the school was essential and expressed frustration over the lack of progress.
In addition to addressing the lapses in the investigation, the court emphasized the need for the victims to receive counseling to cope with the trauma they endured. The judges demanded detailed information on the timeline of the SIT’s activities, the status of the investigation, and the handling of the girls’ statements by the police.
The court also questioned why the second victim had not been listed in the FIR and directed that her statement be recorded promptly, along with video documentation. Concerns were raised about the completeness and transparency of the investigation, with the court demanding that all documents be submitted and reviewed by the next hearing.
Public outrage over the case has been intense, especially given the recent similar incident in Kolkata. Protests erupted in Badlapur following the assault, and the arrest of a 23-year-old school janitor has added to the public outcry. The police’s handling of the case, including a delay of 11 hours in filing the police complaint and the suspension of three officers involved, has further fueled the demand for justice.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for Tuesday, insisting on comprehensive answers from the Attorney General regarding the investigation. The court’s actions underscore the critical need for rigorous oversight and accountability in cases involving the safety of children.
Sources By Agencies
