Court Denies Pre-Arrest Bail to School Authorities in Minor Girls' Abuse Case

The Bombay High Court has denied pre-arrest bail to a school chairman and secretary in Badlapur, Maharashtra, implicated in a case where two minor girls were sexually assaulted by a male attendant. The court cited evidence showing the accused were aware of the incident but failed to report it, thereby implicating them under the POCSO Act.

The Bombay High Court refused pre-arrest bail on Tuesday to the chairman and secretary of a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra, where two minor girls were sexually assaulted by a male attendant. Justice R N Laddha cited prima facie material indicating the school officials were aware of the assault before August 16 but failed to report it.

Justice Laddha stressed the serious nature of the offence and the lasting psychological impact on the young victims. The court emphasized the need for educational institutions to exercise caution in such matters, noting that the school officials had a legal duty to report the crime promptly.

The two accused argued they were unaware of the incident, raising doubts about the delay in lodging the FIR. However, Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar highlighted their negligence and failure to act promptly. The accused have been booked under provisions of the POCSO Act. The male attendant implicated in the case was arrested and subsequently killed in a police shoot-out.

(With inputs from agencies.)