Maharashtra Education Minister Suspends Officers Over Assault Case
- Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar suspends Thane and Mumbai education officers over negligence in a sexual assault case.
- The suspension is due to the officers' failure related to the sexual assault case and delays in installing CCTV cameras.
- The announcement of the suspension came on Friday as a response to the officers' actions or lack thereof.
In a decisive move, Maharashtra's Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar announced the suspension of two Education Officers, Balasaheb Rakshe from Thane and Rajesh Kankal from Mumbai, on Friday. Rakshe faces allegations of neglecting to inform the minister about a recent sexual assault incident involving two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur. Kankal, on the other hand, is being held accountable for the delayed installation of CCTV cameras in civic-run schools across Mumbai. The Badlapur incident, which occurred on August 16, sparked public outrage, leading to protests at the Badlapur railway station on August 21 that disrupted Central Railway services. Minister Kesarkar emphasized the importance of timely communication, stating that Rakshe should have reported the incident immediately. He warned that any officials attempting to conceal such critical information would also face consequences. In addition to the suspensions, Kesarkar reiterated his previous directive from two years ago regarding the installation of CCTV cameras in all civic-run schools. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress and assured that funding for the project would be approved promptly. The minister confirmed that an official suspension order would be issued on Monday and has requested an inquiry into the role of the deputy municipal commissioner regarding the delays. The Free Press Journal highlighted the BMC's failure to implement the CCTV installation, prompting the minister's actions and underscoring the urgent need for accountability in the education sector.