Special Correspondent
Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the shocking case of alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl at a coaching institute in Beed. Addressing the state assembly, the Chief Minister said that the SIT will be headed by a senior female IPS officer and will investigate the matter thoroughly within a fixed time frame.
Fadnavis declared that not just the accused perpetrators, but even those who attempted to shield or protect them would face stringent legal consequences. “The government is committed to ensuring justice for the victims. These heinous criminals will be punished, and anyone trying to cover up their crimes will also not be spared,” he said.
The matter was raised in the Assembly by Chetan Tupe, an MLA from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), who highlighted the incident and demanded a high-level investigation. He questioned why the police had sought only two days of custody for the accused, despite the gravity of the offense.
Responding to Tupe’s concerns, the Chief Minister confirmed that the case had been filed under the stringent POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) Act, following a complaint by the victim and her mother. He also acknowledged that the scope and sensitivity of the case could be broader, suggesting the possibility of more victims. “One girl came forward bravely, but we suspect there could be others. Therefore, we are setting up an SIT to uncover the full truth,” Fadnavis stated.
He further assured the House that the investigation would not be influenced by political or social pressure. “This case must not be diverted or diluted under any circumstances. We will investigate whether there is any political patronage or any attempt to cover up the crime. The SIT will get to the root of the matter and bring every culprit to justice,” he added.
The incident that triggered statewide outrage took place at the Umakiran Educational Campus in Beed, where two instructors—Vijay Pawar and Prashant Khatavkar—allegedly sexually harassed a minor student. Both have been arrested and charged under the POCSO Act. However, Tupe and others raised concerns about possible political shielding of the accused and demanded the appointment of a female IPS officer to lead the probe.
The CM’s assurance came after a powerful demand from the opposition for a comprehensive investigation. Tupe noted that the case has tarnished the sacred teacher-student relationship and warned that such incidents would not be tolerated. He questioned whether someone influential was protecting the accused, resulting in a mere three-day police custody being granted. “If one girl has come forward, how many others have been wronged in silence?” he asked.
In conclusion, Chief Minister Fadnavis vowed to the Assembly that justice will be delivered. “The SIT will investigate all aspects thoroughly. The guilty will receive the harshest punishment, and even those who tried to protect them will face the consequences,” he said.
