Bombay HC Demands Rigorous Probe In Badlapur Assault Case: Advocates ‘Bete Ko Padhao, Beti Ko Bachao'

The Bombay High Court has directed the Badlapur police to ensure a "watertight" investigation in the sexual assault case involving two young girls, urging them not to rush the filing of the charge sheet under public pressure.

The court emphasized the importance of thoroughness in such sensitive cases to ensure justice is served.

Photo Credit: PTI

Bombay HC Advocates 'Bete Ko Padhao, Beti Ko Bachao'

The division bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, highlighted the need for greater awareness among boys, altering a well-known government slogan to state, "Bete ko padhao, beti ko bachao" (Educate boys, protect girls). This remark underscores the court's focus on addressing the root causes of such incidents, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The bench took suo motu cognizance of the case, which involved the sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant inside a school washroom in Badlapur, Maharashtra. The case had drawn significant public outrage, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after local police were criticized for their initial handling of the investigation.

During the hearing, Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the government, informed the court that a charge sheet would be filed soon. However, the bench cautioned against hasty action, emphasizing that the investigation must be thorough and free from external pressures, as reported by Hindustan Times. "This is a larger issue. This case will set a precedent for all such cases in the future. Public is watching, and the message we send is important," the court observed.

The court also criticized the SIT for the "stereotypical" manner in which the case diary was maintained, pointing out the lack of detailed entries. The judges stressed that every step of the investigation must be properly documented, as the current state of the case diary reflected poorly on the quality of the probe.