Badlapur Sexual Assault: Court Sends Accused to Judicial Custody

The accused in the Badlapur sexual assault incident was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by the Kalyan Court on Monday, after previously being held in police custody.

Amid the growing outrage over the alleged sexual assault case, Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar suggested that, in addition to CCTVs in schools, panic buttons could be installed to enhance women’s safety.

On August 23, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the Badlapur sexual assault case registered an FIR against the school authorities for failing to comply with Section 19 of the POCSO Act, which requires that any authority aware of a sexual assault against minors must report it to the police.

The alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra, has sparked widespread outrage. In response, Minister Kesarkar proposed installing panic buttons in schools and hostels as an advanced safety measure. He stated, “Just like CCTVs in schools, panic buttons can also be installed… A panic button can also be installed in the hostels… It is an advanced technology.”

Minister Kesarkar also noted that an investigation team, led by the Deputy Director of the Mumbai region, probed the Badlapur incident, involving personnel from various departments. He emphasized that the police would determine the appropriate sections under which the cases will be filed, and those found negligent will be identified as co-accused and held accountable.

Criticizing the opposition, Kesarkar remarked, “The people who are criticizing now did nothing during their regime. We are taking decisive actions.”

Notably, a report prepared by the Women and Child Welfare Department and the Education Ministry on the Badlapur sexual abuse case was handed over to Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar.

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