The state government informed the High Court on Tuesday that the Senior Police Inspector of Badlapur Police Station has been suspended following an account-wise inquiry for refusing to register a case related to the sexual abuse of two minor girls in a Badlapur school.
As part of the action taken, a two-year salary increment for the woman officer has been withheld. Additionally, public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar informed the bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan that two constables were let off with a warning after it was found that the case was not taken seriously.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the case has completed its inquiry and filed a chargesheet against the accused, Akshay Shinde—who was killed in a police encounter—and the school trustees who attempted to cover up the incident. The government counsel also informed the court that the SIT has been disbanded, as its role in the case has concluded.
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Furthermore, following the case, the High Court, in coordination with the state government, formed a committee to recommend measures for ensuring the safety of school students. Venegaonkar stated that the committee, chaired by two retired judges, will submit its report in the first week of January. After recording the information given by the government lawyers, the court adjourned the hearing of the case on January 22.
Accused's family out of touch
Akshay Shinde's lawyer informed the court that his family is not in contact with him and claimed that they declined police protection. However, when questioned, the public prosecutor explained that the Shinde family relies on daily wages and frequently relocates for work. The prosecutor also confirmed that Shinde had indeed refused police protection. The court has directed the Shinde family to attend the next hearing via a television conferencing system.