The Bombay High Court took a suo moto cognizance on Wednesday of the violent protests over the sexual assault of two kindergarten students in Badlapur area in Thane district of Maharashtra. According to Live Law, a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan will be hearing the matter on Thursday. 

Earlier, Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla affirmed the commitment of the police force to ensure the safety and security of all citizens by going the extra mile. In a statement posted on the official X handle @DGPMaharashtra, DGP Shukla stated that the investigation into the Badlapur case is being conducted with the utmost diligence.

"We will leave no stone unturned in delivering justice to innocent children and their families," Shukla said.

DGP Shukla mentioned the measures, including the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IG-level senior IPS officer Arti Singh. The accused has been arrested, and the process is being initiated for conducting a trial in fast-track court after filing a charge sheet for a speedy trial, the DGP said, adding that eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as Special Public Prosecutor in the case.

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The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had expressed serious concern over the incident. 

"After West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the shameful crimes against daughters in Maharashtra also force us to think where are we going as a society?" said Rahul Gandhi in a tweet today.He pointed out how, after the crime against the two innocent (nursery school) girls in Badlapur, the first step to get them justice was not taken until the public came out on the streets crying for 'justice'.

"Will we have to protest even to get an FIR registered? Why has it become so difficult for the victims to even go to the police station?" the LoP said.

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has called for a Maharashtra Bandh on August 24. He also lashed out at the  Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government for doing "politics" over the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls in Badlapur incident.

"The government itself is doing politics in this (Badlapur incident). The biggest state where crime against children takes place is Maharashtra. 21,000 such incidents have happened in the state and the government is hiding them. On August 24 we have called for Maharashtra Bandh," Patole told reporters.

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The alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra, by a school attendant has sparked outrage. On August 17, police arrested an attendant for allegedly abusing the girls.

This incident has created massive outrage among the people in Badlapur. On August 17, police arrested an attendant for allegedly abusing the girls.

Internet services have been shut down in Badlapur, and shops have been ordered to remain closed.

(With input from agencies)