Mumbai: As under-age harassers run riot, HC is last hope

(From left) Three of the alleged harassers stand outside the school; one of the alleged harassers passes the girls as they make their way to school; despite parental confrontation, the boys remain unaffected

Young girls from Sakinaka are scared of attending school owing to ongoing harassment by a group of minor boys from the adjoining slums while they pass through the area. Despite multiple complaints, the local police have said they are constrained by the legal limitations of taking action against minors.

The girls' families have documented incidents, and have sought justice through the high court. Despite parental confrontation and video threats, the harassers remain unaffected. The girls continue to suffer every day with lewd gestures and remarks passed by the group of boys who stand outside the school compound when the girls leave for home.

"Jo karna hai who karlo," said one of them on a video, shot by a parent of the school girl. The parents of the victims had approached the Bombay High Court as the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) disapproved permission to register an FIR against the group of minor boys. "We have approached the Bombay High Court in this matter as we have not been updated about the case status. I still don't have the CWC report in my hand. The matter is listed for March 4," said Adv Pankaj Mishra who is representing the parents of the girls.

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Despite parental confrontation, the harassers remain unaffected

A parent of a 14-year-old girl said, "We are helpless. Today (Tuesday) again we saw the boys come on two-wheelers near the school and pass vulgar comments to my girl. They continue to harass my girl, I can't imagine the mental agony she goes through daily. The boys have broken the CCTV of the school gate to destroy the evidence, they are shameless. Today we decided to record them and one of the boys misbehaved. We went to the police station and they treated us like the accused. We get no updates on the case and no response from them. They just say we can't take any action as the boys involved are minors. I just want my daughter to feel safe."

"When we had tried to stop the boys from misbehaving, they beat me with the help of writing pads. They have no fear now since they are aware of the police's inaction. They often back-answer us if we try to stop them. The least police officials could do is deploy some constables outside the school for some days. It will instill fear in their minds," added another parent. Justifying the police's inaction, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-10, Mangesh Shinde said, "The CWC report disapproved permission to register an FIR against the group of minor boys." "The victims have approached the high court, if the court directs us to register an FIR we will," said an official.

Lawyer's Speak

"The petitioners should approach the Juvenile Justice Board and the NGOs working for the protection of children's rights. These minor boys should be questioned and counselled. Their parents should be informed. We cannot treat these children like hardened criminals," said Abha Singh, an advocate and a former bureaucrat. "A writ petition can be filed in the high court to at least ensure the safety of the female students of that school. I feel simple police patrolling can solve this issue," said Adv Wassim Nizzam.

March 4
Date matter is listed in the high court