The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing criticism after appointing Tushar Apte, who is a co-accused in a 2024 Badlapur child sexual abuse case, as a "co-opted" councillor in the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council in Thane district. The appointment, confirmed by Council chairperson Ruchita Ghorpade, has sparked outrage from opposition parties and activists. They accuse the BJP of legitimizing an individual implicated in a serious case involving the cover-up of child sexual abuse.
Apte's involvement stems from an August 2024 incident where two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted within a school in Badlapur. While the main accused, a school sweeper named Akshay Shinde, was killed in an alleged police encounter, investigations revealed a systematic attempt to suppress the case. Apte, who was the school's secretary at the time, and the school chairman, Uday Kotwal, were booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly concealing information and obstructing justice.
Following the registration of the FIR, both Kotwal and Apte went into hiding before being arrested by the Thane Crime Branch over 40 days later from a farmhouse in Karjat. Apte was granted bail within 48 hours, and the case is currently being heard in the Kalyan district and sessions court.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings and the severity of the charges, Apte's name was included among the five nominated councillors during the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council's first general body meeting. Alongside Apte, the other nominated councillors include Shagof Gore (BJP), Prabhakar Patil (NCP), and Dilip Baikar and Hemant Chature (Shiv Sena).
BJP councillor Rajan Ghorpade defended the decision, describing Apte as a social activist and an office-bearer of a reputed educational institution. He stated that Apte's guilt has not been proven, the main accused has already been punished, and Apte actively worked for the party and contributed to the victory of party candidates.
Political sources suggest Apte was rewarded for his behind-the-scenes contributions to the BJP's success in recent municipal elections. However, opposition leaders have strongly condemned the appointment, accusing the ruling party of "normalizing criminality" and "mocking the justice system" by elevating a POCSO accused to a civic office. One senior opposition leader questioned the message being sent to society when someone accused of helping cover up a crime against children is given public office. The controversy has intensified the political atmosphere in Badlapur, raising questions about ethical standards and accountability in public office.
