A family member of one of the two kindergarten girls who were sexually abused at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra, has accused the school authorities and the police of gross negligence and harassment.

Speaking to India Today TV, the family member claimed that the school principal had dismissed medical reports confirming the sexual assault and instead suspected that the girl may have sustained injuries to her private parts while riding her bike.

The family member also said that the girl’s parents were forced to wait for a long time both at the hospital and at the police station. They were also allegedly threatened by police officers and told not to attend the public protest against the handling of the case.

Allegation of police negligence

The allegations raise fresh questions about the local authorities’ initial handling of the Badlapur sexual assault case. The two girls, aged three and four, were sexually abused by a cleaner at a school in Badlapur on August 12 and 13. The family of one of the girls took them to a private hospital for medical examination. After the report confirmed injuries to the girls’ private parts, the family went to the school with the report on August 16, but the school rejected it.

The family member said they later went to the police station to file a complaint, but their complaints were not immediately taken seriously. It took 12 hours and the intervention of local Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders in Maharashtra before the FIR was finally registered. The family member alleged that even then, the police made several changes to her statement in the FIR.

The defendant, identified as Akshay Shinde, was arrested on August 17.

Moreover, the family member said that the girl and her parents faced long waits both at the hospital and at the police station. A medical examination was scheduled at a government hospital at 9 am on August 17, but the police did not arrive until 11.45 am, the family member said.

The child, his father and the pregnant mother had to wait for hours, which increased their distress.

The whole family is currently struggling with serious health problems, the family member said, adding that the girl is traumatized and refuses to meet anyone. Her pregnant mother is in very poor health and is forced to run back and forth between the hospital and the police station. The father is bedridden and the family is overwhelmed by the ongoing police investigation.

Accusation against the school

The family member said the principal and teacher were informed about the incident but did not take any action. Although the medical report confirmed an assault, the principal and teacher claimed the injury could have happened outside of school or while riding a bicycle, the family member said.

The girl’s parents further questioned the school why there were no female staff present when the children needed to go to the toilet. The two girls were sexually abused by the defendant in the toilet.

The family member claimed they learned that there had been a previous incident of sexual abuse of a female student at the school. We learned that a male teacher at the same school had committed a similar crime against an eighth-grade girl, the family member claimed.

The family also accused a policewoman of holding a secret meeting with the school administration to cover up the incident. After the meeting, the officer refuted the family’s claims despite the medical evidence. She said that there was no such incident and asked us not to spread false stories, the family member said.

Accusation of police intimidation

The police’s handling of the case and allegations that local authorities attempted to cover it up sparked massive day-long protests in Baldapur on Tuesday, August 20. Angry residents vandalised the school and a mob brought train services to a halt at Badlapur railway station.

The family member claimed that they were warned by senior police officials not to attend the protest and were allegedly threatened with severe legal consequences, including charges of inciting a protest, if they were caught protesting.

The family member further said that a police officer asked them to submit a written statement stating that they did not want protests. However, the family refused to comply with this statement, claiming that they did not call for the protests but also did not want to submit a written statement distancing themselves from them.

WHAT A GIRL’S FAMILY DEMANDS

The girl’s family is demanding the death penalty for the accused, arguing that such a strict measure is necessary to prevent future crimes. They also want action to be taken against the school principal and the teacher, who they believe failed in their duty to protect the students and respond appropriately to the situation.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Thursday took cognizance of the sexual abuse case and referred the police. and noted that they only acted after public outcry.