MUMBAI: Enraged over the alleged sexual abuse of two girls at a kindergarten school in Badlapur town of Maharashtra's Thane district a huge protest erupted which turned violent as the angry agitators vandalised the school. As the protests spread, the crowds stopped local trains at Badlapur and indulged in stone-pelting at the local railway station.

The assault reportedly occurred on August 12–13, when the girls had gone to use the toilet, however, the incident came to light only after both girls refused to go to school because they were scared of what happened to them. When the parents inquired about the reason behind their behaviour, the children told them of the sexual assault at the school.

The protestors claimed that the police did not swift action and made the parents wait for a significantly long time before any action could be initiated and the FIR was lodged only after 12 hours. They also accused the school management of not taking the matter seriously at first and did not cooperate during the police probe. Several of them claimed that the administration dragged its feet in the case and did not act until the protests were mobilised in large numbers. 

Angry parents and local citizens, including many women, then gathered outside the school demanding action and strict punishment against the accused involved in the incident.

According to police, some of the protesters later broke the gate of the school and vandalised it by breaking the window panes, school furniture and other pieces of equipment, even as a swelling mob gathered at the railway station for the rail roko. 

As protesters came on railway tracks and blocked traffic, local train services between Ambernath and Karjat stations were suspended and over 10 long-distance trains had to be diverted via alternate routes.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the formation of an SIT to probe the incident which will be headed by Inspector General of Police-rank officer Aarti Singh.  

Fadnavis also said in a post on X that he has directed the Thane Police Commissioner to prepare a proposal to try the case in a fast-track court and further added that he has ordered the Thane Police Commissioner to immediately suspend the senior police inspector, assistant sub-inspector and head constable of Badlapur police station who delayed action in the initial stage of the Badlapur incident.