they were shown photos of the bloodstains.
Two female staff members at a school in Thane were arrested on July 9, 2025, while six others were booked after a group of girls were allegedly stripped to check whether they were menstruating.
Police said the arrests include the school principal and an attendant.
Four teachers and two trustees have also been booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as sections 74 and 76 of the Indian Penal Code.
The case came to light after around 10 students from classes 5 to 10 went home crying on July 8.
They told their parents that they had been taken to the washroom and stripped by staff after bloodstains were found on a toilet wall.
According to Thane Rural police, students were summoned to the hall by the principal.
There, a projector was turned on and they were shown photos of the bloodstains.
The girls were then asked to say whether they were on their period. Teachers recorded the names and thumbprints of those who raised their hands.
Up to 15 girls who said they weren’t menstruating were then taken to the toilet, forced to strip and then went through an inspection.
Police said that one girl was confronted by the principal after admitting to wearing a sanitary pad despite not being on her period.
Officers said: “The principal then accused the minor girl of lying and forcefully took her thumb impression.”
Parents staged a protest outside the school, demanding action against those responsible.
One mother stated in her complaint: “The act by the accused amounts to mental harassment to the girls.”
Another said:
“The incident raises serious questions about the safety of our children. Our girls are very afraid.”
“The government should take strict action against the school.”
A formal police case was filed by one of the parents against the principal, four teachers, an attendant, and two trustees.
Investigators say they are now collecting more evidence from the students and identifying key witnesses.
All accused have been booked under IPC Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 76 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), along with relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.
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