Maharashtra Faces Protests Over Child Assault Case

The Badlapur child sexual assault case has sparked widespread protests and significant political fallout in Maharashtra. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed an FIR against the school for failing to report the incident, as mandated by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Bombay High Court criticized both the school and the police for delays in action, leading to the suspension of several police officers. Opposition leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Supriya Sule, have led protests condemning the state's handling of the case. Political tensions have intensified, with accusations of police intimidation against those supporting the victims. The opposition alliance has called for a statewide bandh on August 24 to demand justice and accountability.