Mumbai: Five months after an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered, no action has been taken against the accused working at a Chembur school, sparking outrage among activists.
A minor student from the school filed an FIR in September 2024 against the school’s laboratory assistant, Mohan Anchan, for allegedly assaulting her during a school excursion in November 2022. However, despite the FIR, the police delayed action, and Anchan was anticipatory bail in October 2024.
Shockingly, the accused was also reinstated at the school in January 2025. When questioned about this by the victim, the school principal refrained from providing a clear response and allegedly prohibited her from making contact with the institution.
The victim repeatedly tried to contact the school post reinstation, urging them to suspend Anchan, but was met with silence. “I have been calling the principal for two months since Anchan was reinstated, but she has never responded,” she said.
Repeated attempts to seek clarification from the school principal proved futile, as she failed to respond to multiple calls from the FPJ.
The victim, Swati Shinde (name changed), initially remained silent out of fear but decided to report the assault after learning about a similar case in Badlapur last year.
Since then, she has faced further neglect from authorities. Education Inspector Mushtaq Shaikh allegedly ignored multiple appeals to take strict action and failed to escalate the matter to senior officials or the government.
Following a complaint to the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the School Education Department finally ordered an investigation three days ago.
Education rights activist and state parents-teachers association president, Nitin Dalvi, strongly criticised the authorities, stating, “Shielding an alleged molester is a serious offence."
At a press conference, Dalvi demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and the school principal for allegedly covering up the case. He also called for the dismissal of Shaikh and suspension of the police officers responsible for delaying the arrest.
Dalvi urged Education Minister Dada Bhuse and Maharashtra Chief Minister to intervene and ensure swift justice, warning that failure to act would lead to large-scale protests outside the school.
The case has ignited widespread public anger, with activists and child rights organisations condemning the authorities' inaction. It remains to be seen whether the government will take decisive steps or allow the controversy to escalate further.
