Who is Akshay Shinde? Accused arrested in sexual assault case of two 4-year-old girls in Badlapur

Badlapur Sexual Harassment: A person was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two girls in a school in Badlapur in Thane district of Maharashtra. The arrested person was identified as Akshay Shinde, who works as a cleaner at a local school, reports ABP LIVE.

Who is Akshay Shinde?

According to the report, 24-year-old Akshay Shinde is a cleaner and was hired at the school on August 1 through a cleaning company on a contract basis.

In a recent development of the case, the court has extended the suspect’s police custody until August 26, according to a PTI Report. This morning, the accused was produced before a magistrate in Kalyan in the district under heavy police protection.

The police arrested the alleged defendant on August 17. According to the complaint, he had abused two kindergarten girls in the school toilet.

Massive protest in Badlapur

A mass protest broke out on Tuesday when parents of the affected schoolchildren and local residents blocked the tracks at Badlapur railway station and vandalised a nearby school building. The demonstration was organised to express outrage over the incident and demand harsh punishment for the accused.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam will be the special public prosecutor in the Badlapur sexual assault case. He also assured that the trial in the case will take place in a fast-track court. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered a high-level probe into the case and announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Yesterday, the protest led to the diversion of several long-distance trains, including the Mumbai-Surat Vande Bharat, Pune Duronto and other important trains. Local train services on the Ambarnath and Karjat routes were also affected by the protests. Earlier, the state government on Tuesday also ordered the suspension of three police officials, including a senior police inspector, for neglecting their duties in investigating the sexual abuse of the two girls.

Internet blocked in Badlapur

In the town of Badlapur, internet services were suspended and schools remained closed today amid protests and violence. On Tuesday, at least 25 policemen were injured by stone-pelting at the railway station and other locations. In response to the unrest, authorities have arrested 72 people in connection with the incidents.

(With contributions from agencies)