Sanjay Raut Criticizes Eknath Shinde Government Over Missing CCTV Footage in Badlapur Sexual Abuse Case

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government on Wednesday, demanding answers about the disappearance of crucial CCTV footage related to the ongoing Badlapur sexual abuse case.

Addressing a press conference, Raut expressed frustration over the lack of action and transparency from the state government, particularly targeting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “The Chief Minister and Home Minister are silent about this issue while we are raising it. Who is responsible for making the CCTV footage disappear from the school? Was it the head of the institution trying to cover up something? Why was this footage removed? Is there a larger conspiracy at play?” Raut questioned.

The controversy erupted last month when Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar disclosed that CCTV footage from the Badlapur school, where two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted, had vanished. Kesarkar underscored the urgency of investigating the disappearance and understanding the motives behind it. He also suggested the installation of panic buttons in schools as a precautionary measure to enhance safety.

The Badlapur case, involving the alleged assault of two four-year-old girls, has sparked widespread outrage and led to multiple protests across the state. On August 31, a Thane Court granted approval for a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to conduct a test identification parade of the accused. This allowed the survivors to identify their alleged abusers under the supervision of an Executive Magistrate. The SIT has also developed a psychological profile of the suspects to aid in the ongoing investigation.

In response to the crisis, the Bombay High Court proposed the formation of a committee to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for police, hospitals, and schools in handling sexual assault cases involving minors.

The situation remains tense as the investigation continues. The police had previously arrested a school attendant in connection with the alleged abuse, but questions about the missing CCTV footage and the government's role in the incident continue to fuel public scrutiny and demand for justice.