An incident at RS Damani School in Shahapur, Thane district, Maharashtra, has triggered widespread outrage after minor girls from classes 5 to 10 were allegedly forced to strip to check if they were menstruating. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, July 8, after blood stains were found in the school’s bathroom, has led to arrests and a police case following a complaint from furious parents.
The school principal gathered several girls, mostly aged 10 to 15, in the school’s convention hall, where photos of blood stains on the bathroom floor, taken by housekeeping staff, were displayed on a projector. The principal then ordered the girls to split into two groups: those who were menstruating and those who were not. Girls who reported menstruating were asked to provide thumb impressions to teachers. However, some girls, particularly those aged 10 to 12 who claimed they were not menstruating, were taken to the bathroom one by one. A female peon reportedly checked their undergarments, touching their private parts during the inspection.
One girl, found wearing a sanitary napkin despite being in the non-menstruating group, was publicly scolded and humiliated by the principal in front of other students and staff, causing significant distress. The invasive checks left many girls traumatized, according to parents and police.
On Wednesday, July 9, enraged parents protested outside the school, demanding action against the school management. Videos captured parents arguing with staff as police managed the tense situation. The parents filed a complaint with the Shahapur police, accusing the school of violating their daughters’ dignity.
Police have registered a case against eight individuals—the principal, a female peon, four teachers, and two trustees—under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to outrage modesty) and 76 (assault or use of criminal force to disrobe). The principal and peon were arrested on Wednesday night, July 9, and have been scheduled to be produced in court on July 10. The principal has been dismissed from her position. The investigation into the other six, four teachers and two trustees continues, with no further arrests reported as of July 10.
A senior officer from Shahapur police station, Mukesh Dhage, confirmed, "The school principal and one peon have been arrested in the case, while the case is ongoing against the others."
