Central Minister Ramdas Athawale Demands Withdrawal of Charges Against Badlapur Residents Protesting Against Injustice

Mumbai, August 23 - The incident of abuse of very young girls in Badlapur has brought disgrace to Maharashtra. Central Minister of Social Justice and Republican Party of India President Ramdas Athawale has demanded the withdrawal of charges filed against Badlapur residents who have protested against this heinous event. He stated that the protesters in Badlapur should not be arrested and that he plans to meet Chief Minister Eknath Shinde soon to discuss this matter.

Athawale also emphasized the need for financial assistance to be provided to the family of the young victim from Badlapur as special aid from the Chief Minister.

Today, Ramdas Athawale visited Badlapur and held a meeting with police and administrative officers at the Badlapur Municipal Council office to discuss the case. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Sudhakar Pathare, Tehsildar Amit Puri, and CEO of Badlapur Municipal Council Maruti Gaikwad, among others.

The incident occurred at the Adarsh School in Badlapur, and the school management has been dismissed with an administrator appointed. An SIT (Special Investigation Team) led by IPS officer Arti Singh has been established for this case. The trial will be fast-tracked in a special court, and experienced public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed to ensure the accused receives the death penalty. The Chief Minister has taken this case seriously, and the appointment of Ujjwal Nikam underscores the commitment to severe punishment for the accused.

Athawale urged that opposition parties should not politicize this case, describing it as a reprehensible incident that brings disgrace to humanity. He noted that Ujjwal Nikam was appointed as the special public prosecutor due to his extensive experience. The accused, Shinde, is originally from Gulbarga, Karnataka, and began working on August 1. Athawale also stressed that only female attendants should be appointed in schools to handle young children, and having male helpers is extremely inappropriate.

Several Republican Party of India (RPI) leaders were present at the meeting, including Suresh Barshing, Anna Rokade, Dayal Bahadur, Balaram Gaikwad, Sidram Ovhal, Bhaskar Waghmare, Bhagwan Bhalerao, Sanjay Gaikwad, Pralhad Jadhav, Rama Kambale, Sanjay Gaikwad, Bal Bhalerao, Baban Kedare, and Pralhad Magare.