Overview
- Apte resigned soon after being named a co-opted councillor on the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council, submitting his letter to local authorities.
- He stepped down following intense criticism from residents, child-rights activists and opposition leaders, with reported instructions from BJP’s Maharashtra leadership.
- Apte is accused under POCSO Section 21(2) of failing to report abuse at the school; he was arrested after going absconding, granted bail within 48 hours and his case remains before the Kalyan court.
- The underlying case involves the alleged assault of two minors in 2024, and the prime accused, Akshay Shinde, was killed in an alleged police shootout during transfer from Taloja prison.
- His brief appointment came during the selection of five co-opted councillors—two each from the BJP and Shiv Sena and one from the NCP—and the party initially faced questions after a local leader defended the choice.