Girls stripped for menstruation check: Principal, staffer arrested in Thane

Thane: Authorities on Thursday confirmed the arrest of the principal and a female staffer from a private school in Thane district, Maharashtra, following allegations that girl students were forcibly stripped to check whether they were menstruating.

The disturbing incident took place on Tuesday at the school located in the Shahapur area of Thane. It began after bloodstains were reportedly discovered in the school’s toilet, prompting a controversial and deeply invasive response from the management.

According to police officials, the incident triggered widespread anger among the parents of the affected students. On Wednesday, they gathered at the school premises to stage protests, demanding swift and stern action against the responsible staff and members of the school’s administration.

Shahapur police confirmed that by Wednesday night, they had arrested the school’s principal and a woman attendant who allegedly conducted physical checks on the students to determine if they were menstruating.

A formal complaint was lodged by a parent whose daughter was among the students subjected to the ordeal. As per the complaint, girls from Classes 5 to 10 were summoned to the school’s convention hall, where they were shown images of bloodstains found on the toilet and floor—projected onto a screen for all to see.

The students were then asked whether they were menstruating. Based on their responses, they were split into two groups. Those who admitted to being on their period were asked to provide thumb impressions. Those who claimed they were not menstruating were taken one by one to the toilet, where the woman attendant allegedly examined their private parts to verify their claim, the complaint stated.

Following this complaint, a case was registered on Wednesday against eight individuals, including the school principal, four teachers, the woman attendant, and two trustees.

Commenting on the parental outrage, Additional Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural), Rahul Zalte, said, “The situation turned tense for a while with the irate parents demanding action.”

Police confirmed that a full investigation into the incident is underway. The case has been filed under sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 76 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with applicable provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

(inputs from PTI)