Mumbai: Parents will soon be able to verify whether their children’s schools have implemented the child safety measures mandated by the Maharashtra government. The state informed the Bombay High Court on Friday that over 88,000 of the total 1,00,816 schools have already uploaded their compliance details on a web portal launched by the education department.

The information was placed before a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil during the hearing of a suo motu PIL concerning child safety in schools. The court was told that the remaining schools are expected to upload their details by October 15.

Public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde submitted that the portal became operational on October 5 and can be accessed by anyone by entering the school’s name. “Schools have been directed to update all information by the 15th of every month,” she added.

The education department had circulated a 60-point questionnaire to government, aided and private schools, seeking details such as whether the May 13 government resolution (GR) was shared with parents via WhatsApp, email or notices; whether Sakhi-Savitribai committees and student safety committees have been formed; and if police verification of school and bus staff has been completed.

The bench, however, questioned the state’s data. “It (information provided by schools) says a workshop was scheduled. When was it done? Otherwise it is meaningless. Parents are unaware — specific date-wise details have to be given,” the court remarked.

The judges also directed that schools must designate a nodal officer to provide information to parents and that surprise inspections be conducted to verify compliance.

Amicus curiae (friend of the court) Advocate Rebecca Gonsalves suggested that the portal should be made bilingual. “The portal is only in English. It should be in Marathi as well since many parents may not know English,” she said. The court directed the government to ensure that information is made available in both languages.

Shinde further informed the bench that the Women and Child Development Department has issued a similar GR on July 3, 2025, applicable to residential schools. Also, the GR was adopted for Anganwadis and Ashramshalas in the state.

The court appreciated the state’s efforts but emphasised continued monitoring. “We are very happy with what has been done, but we are not disposing of this PIL until everything is in place,” the bench said.

It also directed the education department to publicise the portal through newspapers and notice boards so that parents can easily access and verify school compliance. The matter will be heard next after eight weeks.

The GR was issued following the high court taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance last year of the sexual assault of two minor girls in a Badlapur school.

The GR includes key safety measures such as mandatory CCTV installation on campuses, character verification of staff, accountability for student transportation, and education on distinguishing between good and bad touch. It also recommends awareness of cyberbullying and displaying the toll-free child helpline number ‘1098’ prominently on school premises.

Mumbai: In a significant ruling reinforcing the rights of train accident victims, the Bombay High Court has held that a commuter who died in a railway mishap in 2012 was a bona fide passenger, even though no ticket was found on him.

The court directed the Union of India to pay his family Rs 4 lakh compensation with 6% annual interest, subject to a total cap of Rs 8 lakh, to be divided equally among the four legal heirs.

Justice Jitendra Jain, on October 7, allowed the appeal filed by Vijay Gondake’s wife and children, while setting aside the Railway Claims Tribunal’s order. On January 31, 2018, the tribunal rejected their claim holding that the deceased was not a genuine passenger, citing the absence of a ticket and the claim that he was trespassing on the tracks when hit by a train.

The deceased, a government employee working in the Post Office, was travelling home from Grant Road to Shahad via Dadar on October 29, 2012, when he fell between Kanjurmarg and Bhandup stations. He succumbed to his injuries a few days later, on November 4, 2012. His family sought Rs 4 lakh in compensation, but the tribunal dismissed their plea, terming the death an act of “negligence”.

Disagreeing with the tribunal, Justice Jain said, “It is incomprehensible that a government employee would be travelling to his workplace and back home without any ticket.”

He added that the deceased’s wife had clearly deposed that he held a monthly pass, and the minor inconsistency in using the words “ticket” and “pass” could not discredit her testimony.

“The phrases ’monthly pass’ and ‘ticket’ are used interchangeably in Mumbai and when in the cross-examination it is stated that he was having a second class ticket, it cannot be inferred that he was travelling without ticket,” the court said.

The judge also questioned the Station Master’s report, which claimed the man was hit by a train while trespassing. “If there are no eye witnesses, then how could the Station Master have certified that he was hit by an unknown train while trespassing?” the court asked, noting the absence of any statement from the motorman or medical expert.

Calling the tribunal’s findings “perverse,” the HC concluded that the deceased had indeed fallen from a moving train, an “untoward incident” under the Railway Act.

The court directed the Railways to deposit the compensation within eight weeks of receiving the appellants’ bank details.

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded sharply to criticism from local leaders, emphasizing that Shiv Sena works on the ground rather than just through posters. Speaking at a rally of party workers, Shinde remarked that while some make foreign trips to London, they often return empty-handed.

Shinde criticized opponents threatening disruption (“humbarada fod”) in the wake of the Mumbai municipal elections, highlighting that his government has provided ₹32,000 crore in aid to flood-affected farmers, exceeding opposition expectations. He also recalled past elections, noting that after setbacks in 2022, the party fought 100 assembly seats, winning 20, and metaphorically “broke humbarada” then—implying that some challenges should be reserved for future confrontations.

Shinde stressed the importance of grassroots workers, stating, “Our party belongs to the workers, not to the master-servant hierarchy. I work as a worker, not just as Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister.” He praised Shiv Sena’s proactive response during crises in Sangli, Kolhapur, Chiplun, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

He outlined recent developmental initiatives, including a ₹32,000 crore relief package for flood-affected areas and the progress of the Marathwada Water Grid project. Shinde emphasized that the party aims to reach every household, and urged party officials and workers to uphold Hindutva, ensure voter engagement, and maintain organizational discipline.

On elections, Shinde highlighted the role of booth and group leaders in determining success. He advised meticulous verification of voter lists, stressing that errors could cost votes. A special app has been launched for election preparedness, enabling real-time surveys and corrections.

He called for unity within the Maha Yuti alliance, warning against actions that might create divisions, and encouraged party workers to commit to spreading the Shiv Sena’s presence in every home.

Present at the rally were Social Justice and Sambhajinagar Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MP Sandipan Bhumre, MLAs Pravin Jayswal, Vilas Bhumre, Ramesh Bornare, Sanjana Jadhav, city chief Rajendra Janjal, and other senior Shiv Sena leaders and workers.