In a shocking incident, a fireman attached to the fire and emergency wing of the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has been accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl on multiple occasions in Bhayandar. The incident was brought to light by the station officer who orally informed the chief fire officer about the heinous act committed by the fireman. 

After learning about the incident, former municipal corporator-Neelam Dhawan followed-up on the issue by seeking immediate suspension of the accused fireman-Sanjay Mhatre (aged around 54 years) and registering an offence against him at the police station. In her letter to the commissioner, Dhawan alleged that the fireman repeatedly exploited the girl sexually inside toilets and auto-rickshaws parked at a slum cluster behind the Navghar Road fire station in Bhayandar (east). 

However, instead of lodging a police complaint and suspending him, the action initiated by the MBMC was limited to a simple departmental order to transfer the fireman from Navghar to the fire station in Uttan. “We will not keep quiet. A protest will be launched in true-Sena style by our women wing if the MBMC does not take appropriate action against the monster.” said Dhawan. “Transfer was the immediate action taken in my capacity. I have duly informed my higher-ups who said that a much more severe action will be taken against the culprit.” said, Chief Fire Officer- Prakash Borade. 

When contacted additional municipal commissioner, Sachin Bangar said, “ Process was on to suspend the fireman and it will be executed today itself. Additionally, a departmental probe has been initiated and an official letter regarding the incident will be sent to the police station for further investigations.” However, fearing social stigma, the family of the girl has not come forward to register a complaint, sources said. 

Citing health issues, the accused fireman had been expressing his inability to participate in fire fighting exercise and was simply idling away his time at the fire station after registering his attendance in the muster roll for the past more than two years, said a senior officer. 

The insensitive attitude shown by the civic administration has triggered unrest amongst local residents in the twin-city.