In connection with the menstruation-related incident involving female students at a school in Shahapur—where a female attendant allegedly conducted checks under the principal’s instructions—the Thane district education department has formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee has been directed to submit its report to the state government within a week.
On Friday, a preliminary report regarding the incident was submitted to the state government. According to officials, the school may reopen on Monday or Tuesday. It will be operated by the remaining staff members under the supervision of the Field Officer from the Panchayat Samiti, Shahapur.
Balasaheb Rakshe, Education Officer from the Zilla Parishad (ZP), Thane, told The Free Press Journal that the committee comprises the Extension Education Officer and the Block Education Officer. They are scheduled to visit the school on Monday to conduct a thorough inquiry and compile a detailed report, which will then be submitted to the state government. Further action will be taken based on the findings.
“So far, we cannot say whether the Education Department will appoint an administrator to manage the school,” Rakshe said. “The school will remain closed on Friday. From next week, the remaining teachers—excluding the arrested principal and teachers—will resume operations under the department’s observation. Our priority is to reopen the school as soon as possible.”
Notably, the Shahapur police, under Thane Rural Police jurisdiction, have arrested five individuals including the principal, three teachers, and a female attendant of the private school after reports emerged that 12 female students were allegedly forced to strip to check if they were menstruating.
According to sources, after bloodstains were found in a washroom, the school administration reportedly summoned several girls mostly from Classes 5 to 10—for questioning. Some were allegedly asked if they were menstruating, while a few were reportedly forced to remove their underwear for inspection.
The five arrested individuals, including the school principal, have been remanded to magistrate custody. The remaining three accused are currently being interrogated.
