After a 44-day manhunt, Uday Kotwal, the Trust’s chairman, and Tushar Apte, the Trust’s secretary of a prominent school in Badlapur, have been arrested in connection with a child abuse case which has sparked nationwide outrage. The duo, who had been absconding since the scandal broke, were apprehended by Ulhasnagar Circle 4 police in Karjat on Tuesday, following a High Court reprimand.

The abuse case, which shocked the country, involved the alleged mistreatment of children at the school. Despite the gravity of the situation, the school's principal, chairman, and secretary initially ignored complaints from concerned parents, further inflaming public anger. Protests erupted in Badlapur on August 20, with parents and citizens demanding action.

In response to growing pressure, the High Court intervened and ordered legal action against the school's management. However, instead of cooperating, Kotwal and Apte went into hiding, first seeking anticipatory bail from the Kalyan Sessions Court, which was denied. They then approached the Bombay High Court, which on Tuesday rejected their pre-arrest bail application and reprimanded the police for their inaction, instructing immediate arrests.

Acting swiftly after the court's orders, police located the two men in Karjat within 24 hours. "Both Uday Kotwal and Tushar Apte have been detained from Karjat, and the arrest process is ongoing," confirmed Sachin Gore, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ulhasnagar Circle 4.

The belated arrests have raised questions about the efficiency of law enforcement, with critics noting that it took a court intervention to prompt decisive action. As investigations continue, other members of the school's management may face charges, further scrutinizing the institution's handling of the case.