Girls sexually abused, locals vandalise home of accused
Local residents vandalized the home of Akshay Shinde, who was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two young girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district, Maharashtra. The enraged crowd broke into Shinde's house, smashing glass, destroying electronic appliances, and leaving the flat in disarray.
Earlier, a Thane court extended Shinde’s police custody until August 26. Shinde, employed as a school sweeper, allegedly abused two four-year-old girls in the school's restroom. The incident came to light when one of the victims shared her ordeal with her parents, leading to Shinde’s arrest on August 17.
The case has sparked statewide protests, with demonstrators vandalizing public property and clashing with authorities. An FIR was filed against 500 protesters, and 72 individuals were detained for rioting, vandalism, and assaulting public officials.
In response to the unrest, internet services in Badlapur were suspended, and schools were closed. The protests also resulted in injuries to 17 city police personnel and eight railway officers during incidents of stone-pelting at the railway station and other parts of the town. Additional police forces have been deployed to maintain order, and the police were compelled to use force to disperse protesters who blocked railway tracks and stormed a local school building.