Badlapur accused will be tried in fast-track court: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

MUMBAI: Chief minister Eknath Shinde said on Tuesday that the sexual abuse case of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur would be tried in a fast-track court. His announcement came after public protests in the area following the arrest of a school sweeper for the sexual abuse of two nursery school students.
“Action will be taken against the management of the institution if there is an incident of abuse against girls,” Shinde said. He also mentioned that institutions need to conduct a background check of their employees.
Shinde told the media that he had spoken to the police commissioner and asked for an attempt to rape case to be filed. “I have asked for cases to be filed under attempt to rape and POCSO. The accused will face strong punishment,” Shinde told TV channels. He also said a special public prosecutor would be appointed in the case.
He further stated that if the police had delayed filing charges, then action would be taken against them. “No one will be spared,” he said.
Shinde held a meeting with education minister Deepak Kesarkar and suggested setting up a complaint box in every school for students or parents facing problems. “There should be a system in place so that if the student has any doubts, they should be able to immediately point it out to the principal or teachers without fear,” he said.
“The management should immediately talk to the teachers and staff of all the schools and take appropriate care. If the directors are at fault, action will be taken against them,” he added.
Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that there was an 11-hour delay in the police filing a case. “The govt has a Ladki Bahin Yojana but when there is such an incident involving small girls, where is their sensitivity? Law and order in the state have collapsed. There should be action against the woman police official who delayed filing the case,” he said. Wadettiwar also stated that the case should be tried within three months.