Badlapur Sexual Assault Case: School Trustees Arrested Amid Outrage

In a significant development in the Badlapur sexual assault case, the Bombay High Court's scrutiny of the state's inaction led to the arrest of two school trustees on Wednesday. Uday Kotwal (60), the school trust chairman, and Tushar Apte (57), the trust secretary, were apprehended in Karjat by a special investigation team (SIT) and the Thane crime branch.

## Background of the Case

The arrests come in response to incidents involving two four-year-old girls who were assaulted by Akshay Shinde, a cleaner at the school, on August 12 and 13. Following the assaults, the victims' parents reported the incidents to the school principal, who then informed Kotwal and Apte. However, the trustees failed to take immediate action, leading to their inclusion in two separate FIRs filed at the Badlapur East police station for not reporting sexual assault on minors, a punishable offense under the POCSO Act, 2012.

## Court Proceedings and Allegations

Both Kotwal and Apte have been on the school's managing committee for 15 years. They initially filed pre-arrest bail pleas claiming they only became aware of the assaults after being called in for questioning by the police. However, a single-judge bench of Justice R N Laddha denied their anticipatory bail pleas, prompting further scrutiny from a division bench regarding the delay in their arrest.

The SIT had earlier requested assistance from the Thane crime branch to apprehend the trustees, who were reportedly evading arrest. Their arrest was executed following intelligence that they were en route to Karjat for work.

## Legal Ramifications

The trustees were charged in connection with a second case involving the alleged assault of one of the girls. They face serious charges under various sections of the POCSO Act and additional legal provisions. The police investigation revealed evidence of negligence on the part of the school authorities, further complicating the case for the trustees.

## Ongoing Investigation and Public Outcry

The main accused, Akshay Shinde, was arrested on August 17 and was later killed in an alleged police encounter. His hiring by the school just 15 days prior to the incidents—without a background check—raised significant concerns about the school's hiring practices.

Public outrage has been palpable, especially after initial denials by school authorities regarding the occurrences. Protests ensued, culminating in a 10-hour disruption of train services at Badlapur station, reflecting the community's anger and demand for justice.

## Conclusion

The arrests of Kotwal and Apte mark a crucial step in the ongoing investigation into this disturbing case. As the SIT continues its work, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and justice for the victims, while the community demands that those responsible for the negligence and cover-up face appropriate consequences.