Mumbai: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday issued strict orders to the Kapurbawdi police in Thane, directing them to hand over 15 days of CCTV footage related to an alleged child abuse case at Uudaan Montessori Preschool and Day Care.
This footage had reportedly been withheld by the police, despite repeated requests from the complainant’s parents. The commission also granted the parents the liberty to approach it again if the police fail to comply.
The SHRC had taken a suo motu cognizance of the case after The Free Press Journal published a report titled, “DELAYED RESPONSE – Teacher slapped child for refusing food; another teacher informed parents, leading them to see changes in child’s behaviour. Parents await action in school abuse case; cops downplay claims.” The commission had summoned the police to explain the alleged delay in their investigation.
During the hearing, the investigating officer, Sagar Sawale, had appeared before the commission, there by submitting a copy of the chargesheet filed in the case. It was then that Advocate Arvind Awasarmol, representing the victim’s parents, highlighted that the police had refused to provide the CCTV footage requested by the complainant.
Advocate Awasarmol said, “The commission had directed the investigating officer to hand over the CCTV footage. Initially, the officer cited confidentiality concerns, stating the footage involved other children. However, the commission reiterated its directive, and only then did the police agree to provide the footage. The commission has also given us the liberty to approach it again if the police obstruct us further.”
When asked about the charge sheet’s details ,Advocate Awasarmol noted that it appears to have been filed only against the accused teacher, Ms. Sabita Fernandes. “We have received a hard copy of the chargesheet, but we need time to review its contents,” he said.
The incident occurred on October 17, when a child at the preschool reportedly refused to eat. Teacher Sabita Fernandes allegedly slapped the child, which was subsequently informed to the victim child’s parents by another teacher. Disturbed by their child’s withdrawn behavior, the parents had requested to view the CCTV footage. After much delay, the mother was eventually allowed to watch the footage, which she discreetly recorded on her phone.
An FIR was subsequently registered at Kapurbawdi Police Station under multiple sections, including Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, for child cruelty. The FIR names Ms. Sabita Fernandes as the main accused, along with four others, including the school’s principal, Dr. Jyoti Bawddekar.
