The Bombay High Court on Monday mandated a swift trial for the sexual assault case of two young girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district. The victims, aged four and five, were assaulted by a male attendant within the school premises last August.
The attendant involved was arrested but later killed during a shootout with police while being transported for questioning. The tragic incident led the Maharashtra government to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has since completed its probe and filed charges against not only the attendant but also the school’s headmaster and two members of the management for failing to report the assault as stipulated under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court, led by Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale, took suo motu cognizance of the case following revelations of delayed FIR registration by the Badlapur police. The public prosecutor, Hiten Venegaonkar, updated the court that with the chargesheet filed, the trial was ready to commence.
Stressing the importance of a rapid legal process due to the tender ages of the victims, the court highlighted the necessity of conducting the trial expeditiously. The bench also noted that a female prosecutor must be present during the examination of the girls, in accordance with the requirements of the POCSO Act. A lady prosecutor has already been appointed to assist the special public prosecutor.
Additionally, the High Court has called for a committee of experts to review and enhance the safety protocols in schools and other educational institutions, although their report of recommendations has not yet been submitted. The court expects this report to be presented at the next hearing, scheduled for January 20.
On the same day, the court will also hear a petition by the father of the deceased attendant, who alleges that his son was killed in a staged police encounter.
Furthermore, Venegaonkar conveyed the Maharashtra government’s commitment to the welfare of the victimized girls, noting that their education would be funded by the state until at least Class 8, with proposals to extend this support through Classes 9 and 10.
