The Bombay High Court has emphasized the importance of building a “watertight” case without succumbing to public pressure, in the sexual assault of two young girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra. During Tuesday’s proceedings, a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan issued directives to ensure a thorough investigation into the distressing incident.
The case came into prominence last month when the court took suo motu cognizance following reports that a male attendant sexually assaulted the two four-year-old girls in the school’s washroom. The attendant has since been arrested.
During the hearing, Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the court of the imminent filing of a chargesheet. However, the Justices cautioned against hasty legal actions driven by public demand. “This case will set a precedent. We must consider the message we are sending to the public,” Justice Dere remarked.
The court criticized the initial handling of the case by local police, which led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The bench expressed dissatisfaction with the stereotypical and unsatisfactory maintenance of the case diary by the SIT, noting that it lacked detailed investigative efforts and reflected poorly on the probe’s thoroughness.
Moreover, the court highlighted the need for broader educational reforms, suggesting that sensitizing boys is crucial. Justice Dere adapted a popular government slogan to “Bete ko padhao beti ko bachao,” emphasizing the dual need to educate boys and protect girls.
Addressing concerns about the safety of schoolchildren, the court was informed of a government-formed committee tasked with evaluating safety protocols in schools. The Justices insisted that the committee’s scope should include the safety of both girls and boys, stressing a gender-neutral approach to child protection.
The court recommended that the committee include seasoned professionals such as retired IPS officer Meeran Borwankar and possibly retired High Court judges Sadhana Jadhav or Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi. The next hearing is scheduled for October 1, by which time further developments in the investigation and committee formulations are expected.
