Badlapur Sexual Abuse Case: 'School's CCTV Footage For 15 Days Missing,' Education Minister Reveals

Badlapur Sexual Abuse Case: The CCTV footage of the past 15 days is missing while the school authorities are facing scrutiny over alleged failure to take any action.

Badlapur Sexual Abuse Case: Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar revealed on Monday that CCTV footage from the past 15 days is missing from the Badlapur school where two young girls were sexually abused, intensifying the scrutiny on the school's handling of the case. The shocking incident, which took place on August 13, involved two kindergarten girls, aged 3 and 4, who were subjected to sexual abuse.

Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said, "It has come to light through the education department's inquiry committee that the CCTV footage is missing. Despite being aware of the situation, the school authorities failed to take any action", ABP Majha reported.

Highlighting the importance of surveillance in educational institutions, Kesarkar emphasised, "It is essential to have CCTV installed in every school, and a 15-day recording should be maintained. We are currently investigating how the footage went missing." He further assured that a help desk would be established in schools to address such issues promptly.

The minister also expressed his commitment to the victim's education, stating, "We will soon meet the victim’s family, and I personally take responsibility for her education up to her degree level."

Kesarkar announced financial assistance for the victims, stating that the girl who was raped would receive Rs 10 lakh as support, while the girl who was sexually abused would receive Rs 3 lakh. "We will bear the cost of their education, and the necessary financial assistance will be provided monthly through cheques," he added, assuring that the identities of the girls would be protected.

Bandlapur Sexual Abuse Case: Inquiry Report Points To Negligence Of Two Attendants

The inquiry report also pointed out the negligence of two attendants, Kamini Kaikar and Nirmala Bhure, who were responsible for escorting the young girls to the toilet. "A committee was appointed to investigate the incident at the Badlapur school. According to the report, we have made decisions today. These two attendants were not present during the inquiry, and their absence likely contributed to the incident. Appropriate action will be taken against them, and we have recommended that they be charged as co-accused," Kesarkar informed.

Notably, a report prepared by the Women and Child Welfare Department and the Education Ministry regarding the sexual abuse case in Badlapur was submitted to Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar on Monday. This report comes amid growing outrage over the alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls at a school in Maharashtra's Badlapur.

The incident has led to massive protests in Badlapur, with thousands of residents taking to the streets, leading to the disruption of train services. Police arrested 72 individuals in connection with the violence that erupted during these protests.

Earlier, the special investigation team (SIT) investigating the Badlapur sexual assault case registered an FIR against the school authorities. The FIR was filed under Section 19 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which mandates that any authority aware of a sexual assault against minors must report it to the police for further action. The school authorities, however, failed to inform the police, leading to the administration being booked under Section 21 of the POCSO Act, which prescribes punishment for the violation of Section 19.

On August 17, police arrested a school attendant accused of abusing the two girls. The SIT has also recorded the statements of both minor victims and their parents as part of the ongoing investigation.