Badlapur case: Three officers suspended after police negligence and protests

INDC Network : Badlapur (Maharashtra): The sexual abuse incident in Badlapur, Maharashtra has sparked deep anger and disappointment across the state. The police's negligence in handling the sexual abuse of two young girls on the premises of a school added fuel to the fire. Questioning the role of the police in the case, hundreds of citizens and parents staged massive protests in the city, blocking rail traffic. As a result of this public outrage, the Maharashtra government had to order the immediate suspension of three police officers.

The incident took place on August 17, when two kindergarten girls aged three and four years were allegedly abused in a school in Badlapur. The crime took place in the school toilet, where the girls were allegedly abused by a male sweeper. According to reports, there was no female sweeper employed in the school, which makes the incident even more serious. The heinous crime came to light when one of the girls complained of pain in her private parts. The parents immediately contacted the doctor, who confirmed that the girls had been abused.

After this incident, serious questions were raised on the role of the police. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that the parents of the victim girls had to wait for 11 hours to lodge a complaint at the Badalpur police station. He expressed strong displeasure over this negligence of the police and demanded that the woman police officer responsible for this delay be suspended immediately. Wadettiwar's statement raises serious questions on the police and administrative system that is there any sensitivity left in such situations?

Considering the gravity of the incident, the Maharashtra government took swift action and immediately suspended three police officers - a senior police inspector, an assistant sub-inspector, and a head constable - for dereliction of duty. Along with this action, the government has also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on social media platform X that the investigation into the incident is being given priority and instructions have been given to prepare a proposal to run it in a fast-track court.

In this case, the police have arrested the main accused sweeper. Despite this quick action by the police, anger and dissatisfaction among the public remains. A major reason for this public anger is that even after this incident, there was a delay in the priority of the police, which has reduced the confidence of the public towards security and justice. Angry parents and citizens also vandalized the school premises, breaking window panes, benches and doors. Along with this, the school management has also suspended the principal, a class teacher and a female attendant for this incident.

Opposition parties in the state also targeted the government over the incident. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the entire state is outraged by the incident and is demanding justice. She urged the Rashtrapati Bhavan to approve the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, saying that this law will prevent such incidents in the future. She accused the state government of ignoring the safety of women and said that strict laws are needed to prevent such incidents.

This entire case has raised serious questions on law and order and administrative functioning not only at the local level but also at the state level. The negligence of the police, the quick action of the government and the outrage of the public have made it a big issue. Now it remains to be seen what results come out in the SIT investigation and how much priority the government gives to this case. This incident has once again proved that the administrative system should always be vigilant and sensitive to ensure the safety and justice of the public.