The Bombay High Court, in response to a suo motu PIL regarding the sexual assault of two kindergarten students in Badlapur, Thane, highlighted the urgent need for education on gender respect. The court emphasized that boys should be taught from a young age to respect women, coining the phrase “Beta Padhao aur Beti Bachao”.

Appointment of Committee for Child Safety

During the hearing, a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan appointed a committee led by two retired judges, Justices Sadhana Jadhav and Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi. This committee is tasked with providing comprehensive recommendations to improve the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, ensuring the safety of children in educational institutions. The committee will include former IPS officer Meeran Borwankar and members from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The court also suggested adding a retired school principal, preferably with experience in rural schools, to the committee.

Criticism of Investigation Efforts

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) efforts in arresting the absconding trustees of the school involved. The bench criticized the SIT for not properly maintaining the case diary, describing it as “full of stereotyped writing.” Justice Chavan pointed out that the case diaries must be well-maintained and accessible only to the investigating team and the court, emphasizing that they should detail the steps taken to apprehend the absconding suspects.

Importance of Proper Investigation

The judges stressed the need for a thorough investigation, with Justice Mohite-Dere cautioning against rushing the process under public pressure. The court urged the investigating authorities to ensure justice is served without compromising the quality of the investigation. Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the court that significant steps, such as completing the Test Identification Parade (TIP) and preserving forensic evidence, had already been taken. However, the court insisted that the investigation be conducted meticulously before moving forward.

State’s Actions and Directives

In response to the court’s concerns, the State issued a circular to both public and private hospitals, mandating strict adherence to the POCSO Act. The Education Department was also directed to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Bombay High Court underscored the importance of both preventive education and robust legal measures in ensuring the safety of children in schools.

– Deeksha Rai