A Year After Badlapur Sexual Assault, Bombay HC Slams State Over School Safety Failures
Background: The Badlapur Case In August 2024 , a shocking case emerged in Badlapur , where Akshay Shinde , a 23-year-old school cleaner, was accused of sexually assaulting two four-year-old girls. The incident exposed severe lapses in school safety protocols and triggered widespread outrage. Following the incident, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance and initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to examine child safety measures in schools across Maharashtra. Government Resolution (GR) on School Safety On May 13, 2025 , the Maharashtra Department of School Education and Sports issued a 23-page Government Resolution (GR) , based on recommendations of an expert committee appointed by the court. The GR mandated: Installation of CCTV cameras at classroom entrances, corridors, main gates, playgrounds, and outside toilets. Provision of counseling support for children. Clear protocols for reporting and handling child abuse cases . Greater collaboration be...