Missing CCTV footage sparks new safety measures; minister proposes panic alarms after Badlapur assault case

School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar revealed that 15 days of CCTV footage from the Badlapur school, where two girls were sexually assaulted, is missing, TOI reported. He proposed installing panic alarm systems in schools, especially in areas where CCTV cameras cannot be installed.

“We found that CCTV footage of 15 days is missing. We have told police to investigate how it went missing. Since the crime was committed near the washroom, we sought CCTV footage and then the committee was told it had gone missing,” said Kesarkar.

Following the Badlapur incident, the minister had previously stated that strict measures would be implemented for schools failing to install and maintain CCTV cameras.


The state government has provided Rs 10 lakh and Rs 3 lakh to the victims' families and will support their education until graduation.

Kesarkar also proposed that panic alarm systems be installed in schools, which students can activate if they feel threatened, particularly in areas like toilets. In the Badlapur case, the suspect targeted the children in a toilet where there were no cameras. He suggested that these alarms could be connected to local police stations, according to the TOI report.

These recommendations came after the women and child development department submitted its report on the Badlapur case to the state. While details of the report were not disclosed, Kesarkar emphasized that efforts are underway to enhance women's security.

He noted that the deputy director of education in Mumbai has conducted a thorough investigation. Findings revealed that various school authorities, including the management, principal, and teachers, had failed to comply with the Pocso Act. Kesarkar stated that these findings will be shared with the police, who are determining the appropriate charges for those involved in the crimes.