Overview
- The council chair confirmed Tushar Apte’s selection as one of five co‑opted councillors in the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council, alongside nominees from Shiv Sena and the NCP.
- Apte quit within hours of being named, following sharp criticism from citizens and opposition leaders, and said he resigned to protect the party’s image and the school’s reputation.
- BJP representatives defended the initial nomination by noting that Apte’s guilt has not been proven and highlighting his party work and role in the educational institution.
- Apte, then the school secretary, is booked under Section 21(2) of the POCSO Act for allegedly failing to report the offence, was arrested about 44 days after the incident, and received bail within 48 hours, with the case still sub judice.
- The case traces to the alleged assault of two minor girls at a Badlapur school in August 2024, with prime accused Akshay Shinde later killed in an alleged police shootout during a custody movement.