Bombay HC Panel Suggests Enhanced Safety Measures in Schools Following Badlapur Sexual Assault Case

Mumbai – A committee set up by the Bombay High Court in response to the horrific Badlapur school sexual assault case has recommended several important measures aimed at improving the safety of children in schools across Maharashtra. The report, submitted to the court on Wednesday, includes suggestions such as mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in schools, character verification of staff, and enhanced education for children on "good touch" and "bad touch."

The committee, headed by two former High Court judges, focused on addressing safety concerns in the aftermath of the August 2023 incident, where two five-year-old girls were sexually assaulted by a male attendant inside their school’s toilet. The accused was arrested but later killed in an alleged police shootout.

The committee’s recommendations call for several crucial safety measures to be implemented in all schools and educational institutions statewide, including:

1. Mandatory CCTV Installation: All schools must install CCTV cameras, and the footage should be preserved for at least a month.
2. Background Verification of Staff: Schools should conduct thorough background checks on all staff members, and any individual found to have a criminal record should be immediately dismissed.
3. Safe Transportation: Schools should take responsibility for ensuring safe transportation for their students.
4. Education on Safety: Children, especially those in pre-primary and primary classes, should be educated about "good touch" and "bad touch," with demonstrations to help them recognize and avoid abuse.
5. Awareness on Cybercrimes: Schools should raise awareness about cybercrimes and prominently display the child helpline number, 1098, in schools.

The division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale, who were hearing the matter, directed the state government to review the report and its recommendations. "We will also go through the report. Let the state government inform us about the steps they will take in two weeks," said the court.

The report has come at a time when concerns over children's safety in schools are at an all-time high. The committee’s suggestions aim to address these issues with a holistic approach, ensuring that schools not only protect children physically but also educate them about safety and their rights.

Following the assault last year, the Bombay High Court had taken suo moto cognizance of the case, recognizing the need for better protocols to safeguard students. With the committee’s report now in place, the state government is expected to take prompt action to implement these vital recommendations.