EastEnders aired a big change for Avani Nandra-Hart in emotional new scenes tonight,
following on from her shocking strip search ordeal.
Recently the teenager and friends Amy and Lily found themselves at the police station after being
wrongly framed for being in possession of drugs by Marvin, a boy who previously sold Avani vapes.
While her friends were picked up early by their parents, Avani was left waiting around and was told by officers that they needed to strip search her as she could have more drugs concealed. The strip search took place by two female officers without an appropriate adult present and Avani has been struggling in the aftermath of the assault.
Ravi and Priya eventually uncovered the truth about her ordeal – and in yesterday’s episode the concerned parents told Jack Branning to escalate their complaint about Avani’s strip search ordeal. However, Jack revealed that no further action would be taken and that Avani should make a complaint herself.
When Priya asked her to after, Avani refused and today’s episode (17 April) saw Avani avoid her mother, seeking solace in the laundrette.
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Related: 6 lessons soaps can learn from EastEnders’ big Avani story
The teenager spent time with Yolande, helping out with folding sheets before deciding to open up to Yolande about her strip search ordeal.
“And how they searched you Avani, was it in an appropriate manner?” Yolande asked Avani.
She replied: “According to them it was but they made me get naked, I had to take my clothes off in front of strangers and I didn’t even do anything wrong. Now I just keep thinking about it all the time.”
BBC
BBC
Related: EastEnders airs surprise return and three major exits in early iPlayer release
Yolande offers comfort to Avani and we next see the pair at the police station, with Priya turning up to see her daughter.
“Just got your text. Why the change of heart?” she asks Avani, before Yolande interjects: “You have a very brave girl here.”
“Your mum will take things from here,” she adds, with Priya providing support as Avani gets ready to log an official complaint about the strip search.
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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