The Bombay High Court on Tuesday criticized the Special Investigation Team for failing to apprehend two accused trustees in the Badlapur school sexual assault case.
Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan expressed frustration, questioning how the police, known for their determination in capturing suspects, had not yet arrested these individuals.
In August, the court took suo motu cognizance of the case, which involved the sexual assault of two young girls, aged four and five, by a male attendant in a school washroom. The attendant, Akshay Shinde, was later arrested but killed by police in a shootout on September 23.
The Maharashtra government announced that an SIT, led by an officer of Inspector General rank, would investigate the alleged abuse. The school’s chairman and secretary were also named as accused, facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for their failure to report the incident promptly and for negligence.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the bench that the two trustees remain at large and have filed for anticipatory bail in the High Court.
The court pressed, “The police goes to any extent to nab an accused. How come they have not been able to apprehend these two? Are they waiting for them to get anticipatory bail?” Saraf assured the court that the police were taking all necessary steps to locate the duo. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on October 23.
