Badlapur School Bus Driver Arrested for Molesting 12-Year-Old Student
In a disturbing recurrence of sexual violence against minors in Badlapur, a 38-year-old school bus driver was arrested on Thursday for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old student. This marks the fourth such case in the region since September 2024 and the second incident in just over a month, reigniting public outrage over systemic failures in child protection.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at Badlapur police station, the accused, a resident of Nerul with eight years of experience as a school bus driver, allegedly touched the child inappropriately and made lewd comments after she boarded the bus following school hours. The incident occurred at the school gate, and upon reaching home, the victim confided in her parents, who promptly lodged a formal complaint.
Police have booked the driver under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He was produced in court and remanded in custody until March 2. Authorities are now investigating whether the accused has a history of similar offences, raising concerns about past oversight.
Pattern of Negligence and Public Outcry
This latest crime has sparked intense anger among local residents, who are pointing fingers at multiple lapses:
- Absence of Female Attendants: Despite state mandates enforced after a high-profile 2024 case, no female attendant was present on the bus during the assault, blatantly violating safety protocols.
- Inadequate Police Verification: Schools have been accused of failing to conduct rigorous background checks on staff, including drivers.
- Lax Enforcement: A senior police officer lamented that repeated warnings to school administrations about compliance have been ignored.
Parents have taken to social media to demand a special audit of all school transport in Badlapur and strict action against non-compliant institutions.
Historical Context of Similar Incidents
This is not an isolated event in Badlapur. Recent cases include:
- January 22, 2025: A four-year-old pre-primary student was allegedly molested by a school van driver, leading to his arrest.
- June 1, 2025: A teacher was arrested for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl.
- September 2024: Two pre-primary schoolchildren were sexually abused by Akshay Shinde, whose subsequent death in an alleged police encounter triggered nationwide protests. This incident prompted the Maharashtra education department to mandate female attendants on school buses and rigorous police verification for all staff.
Regulatory Failures and Enforcement Gaps
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) reported that in the past month alone, following the previous incident, 23 school buses were impounded for lacking attendants. However, they noted that penalising errant schools falls under the education department's jurisdiction, highlighting a coordination gap.
After the 2024 case, the Maharashtra education department issued strict advisories empowering RTOs and police to conduct inspections. Non-compliance can result in fines up to Rs 1 lakh, license suspension, and vehicle seizure. Yet, enforcement remains inconsistent, allowing such tragedies to persist.
The recurring assaults in Badlapur underscore a critical need for robust implementation of child safety norms, with communities calling for accountability from schools, transport authorities, and law enforcement to prevent future violations.
