In a swift political reversal, Tushar Apte, a figure implicated in the sensitive 2024 Badlapur school sexual abuse case, has resigned from his recently appointed position as a co-opted councillor in the Kulgaon-Badlapur municipal council. His resignation came on Saturday, merely a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed him to the post, following significant political and public backlash.
Appointment Sparks Immediate Controversy
The controversy erupted on Friday when the BJP named Tushar Apte as one of five co-opted councillors in the municipal body. This move was met with sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who highlighted Apte's alleged involvement in the Badlapur school case. Apte was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for his alleged failure to report the sexual abuse incident while he served as the secretary of the school trust where the crime occurred.
Swift Resignation Under Party Pressure
Facing intense scrutiny, the BJP's state leadership intervened. Apte tendered his resignation on the direct instructions of Ravindra Chavan, the BJP's Maharashtra president. Addressing the media on Saturday, Apte stated that his decision to step down was aimed at preventing any damage to the reputation of both the school and the political party. "I am resigning from the post of co-opted councillor so that the school and BJP are not defamed," he said. He confirmed that he was submitting his resignation to the Thane district collector and the municipal council's chief executive officer.
Political Repercussions and Legal Background
The episode has cast a spotlight on the political vetting process for appointed positions. The opposition swiftly capitalized on the appointment, accusing the BJP of insensitivity towards victims of sexual crimes and of attempting to shield an accused individual. Apte's legal troubles stem from the 2024 case, where his primary charge revolves around allegedly not reporting the offence as mandated by the POCSO Act, a serious legal obligation for individuals in positions of authority at educational institutions. The rapid sequence of events—appointment on Friday and resignation on Saturday—underscores the potent mix of legal accountability and political image management in contemporary Indian politics.
The incident serves as a reminder of the heightened public and political sensitivity surrounding cases of child sexual abuse, especially those falling under the stringent POCSO legislation. While Apte has relinquished his councillor post, the legal proceedings against him in the Badlapur school case are expected to continue independently.
