Mumbai: After two young girls were allegedly assaulted inside the toilet of a school in Badlapur, the Bombay High Court told the investigating team to build a watertight case and stressed the importance of raising awareness among the boys. The Bombay High Court bench hearing the matter also advised the police team to avoid filing a chargesheet hastily under public pressure.
Last month the bench took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the incident after two four-year-old girls were allegedly sexually assaulted inside the washroom of the school by a male attendant.
A division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday stressed the importance of raising awareness among boys. Justice Dere said, "It’s crucial to educate boys—'Bete ko padhao, beti ko bachao' (teach the boy, protect the girl)."
“Don't file the chargesheet hurriedly. There is still time. Don't go by public pressure. Investigation has to be done properly before chargesheet is filed. Before the chargesheet is filed, ensure everything is in order. Make a watertight case,” said the judges.
HC on SIT Investigation
The Court on Tuesday observed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted because the local police had not properly investigated the case and “there was a strong public outcry.” “This is a larger issue. This case will set a precedent for all such cases in future. Public is watching and what message we are giving is important,” the court said.
The court rapped the SIT for the "stereotypical" manner in which the case diary was maintained. The judges pointed out that every step of the probe wasn't mentioned in the case dairy. “Is this a manner in which case diary is maintained? Is it a modus operandi to write a case diary in stereotypical manner by the investigating officer?” the HC asked.
The investigating team has arrested a school attendant for allegedly assaulting the two girls. The man accused of sexually assaulting two young girls has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days. Further, the SIT has charged the school authorities under Section 21 of the POCSO Act, which addresses the failure to report or record a case of sexual assault after learning about it. The school officials are accused of not reporting the incident to the police, which is a serious offence under the Act.
(With inputs from PTI…)