Thane School Abuse Case Sparks Outrage

In a shocking incident from Thane, Maharashtra, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed police to impose serious charges on a school attendant arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two young girls.

The accused, identified as 23-year-old Akshay Shinde, reportedly assaulted the two kindergarten students, aged three and four, in a school toilet. This distressing situation came to light after one of the girls complained of pain in her private area, and both children subsequently revealed the abuse to their parents.

The community responded strongly; angry parents and citizens protested outside the school in Badlapur, even vandalizing the premises. Since morning, they blocked train tracks at the local railway station, demanding justice for the victims.

In a bid to ensure swift justice, CM Shinde has announced the appointment of a special public prosecutor for the case and stated that it will be fast-tracked to house charges of attempted rape and violations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The school’s management has taken action by suspending the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant. The investigation revealed that no female staff was assigned to supervise the girls’ toilets, allowing the accused to carry out the crime unhindered.

Furthermore, Eknath Shinde has warned that legal action could be taken against the school’s management if they are found negligent in this horrible incident. He has directed the Thane police to handle the case with urgency and efficiency.

In light of these events, Shinde is also pushing for additional safety measures in schools. This includes installing complaint boxes and reviewing the hiring processes for staff who interact with children frequently. The government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to look deeper into the incident.