The Bombay High Court on Thursday expressed deep shock and outrage over the sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district, terming the incident "absolutely shocking."
A division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan criticized the police for the delay in registering the First Information Report (FIR). It emphasized the failure of the authorities to act promptly.
The court had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident, where a male attendant allegedly assaulted the girls inside the school’s washroom on August 12 and 13. Despite the severity of the crime, the FIR was not lodged until August 16, with the arrest of the accused following a day later on August 17.
During the hearing, the court questioned the state’s inaction until public outrage forced authorities to respond, stating, "Unless there is strong public outburst, machinery won't move. Won't the state move till public outbursts like this.” The court added, "If schools are not a safe place what is a child supposed to do? What did a three and four-year-old child do? This is absolutely shocking," as quoted by Edex Live.
In response to the court’s concerns, Advocate General Birendra Saraf assured that appropriate action would be taken against the school authorities responsible for the lapse in safety. The bench also directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT), established by the government to probe the case, to submit its report by August 27.
The case has sparked widespread concern about the safety of children in schools, highlighting the need for stricter measures to protect young students.