EastEnders fans left ‘disgusted’ as 15-year-old Avani strip searched in harrowing scenes

EastEnders fans left ‘disgusted’ as 15-year-old Avani is strip searched by police(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders fans were left ‘disgusted’ during Tuesday night’s episode as 15-year-old Avani Nandra-Hart was strip searched by police in emotional scenes. The teen was bunking off school with Lily Slater and Amy Mitchell when they were offered drugs by dealer Marvin.

Avani refused, however when police were seen approaching the teens in the station, Marvin did a runner, dropping the drugs by Avani’s feet. The teens were then taken to the police station, and Avani was strip searched, as they had “reason to believe” she was carrying more.

Amy and Lily were also taken to the station, however, Lily was picked up from the station by her grandmother Jean and Amy’s father Jack Branning, who works at the station got her out. Avani, however, was left alone as neither mum Priya or dad Ravi were answering their phone.

The officers then had to perform a strip search on the teen without a parent present. Although she was offered an appropriate adult in the room – Avani refused and the search was conducted by the two female police officers who found the teens at the station.

Avani is visibly distressed during the strip search(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

The search was visibly uncomfortable for Avani who was heard crying throughout, however, one of the police officers was less than sympathetic as she appeared to talk down to the teen.

Upon returning home, Avani was visibly distressed as she told her mum Priya what had happened. Priya was then left fuming, storming over to Jack’s house after she learnt he was aware of what was going to be happening to her 15-year-old daughter.

It seems as if fans were left in the same position as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment on the ‘horrifying’ storyline.

Priya was left fuming when she found out what had happened to her daughter(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

“I need Avani’s mum to go to the station and tump someone in their head. I’m fuming !!! #eastenders,” wrote one fan, while another penned: “Got to say @bbceastenders first scenes tonight are quite disturbing watch the way that female talks to a child on a strip search.. #EastEnders.”

Another agreed: “This situation with Avani is quite disgusting…. I think it’s part racism… lily and Amy were found next to the drugs but they didn’t have to get stripped searched yet they are only doing it on a girl of colour.. does speak volumes.. #EastEnders.” Another wrote: “I’ve rewatched the scene with Avani & Suki at the police station and it made me so angry.”

Things are only set to get worse for Avani towards the end of the week as spoilers reveal Avani’s parents Ravi and Priya find their daughter passed out in the playground after going AWOL with a bottle of vodka.

Will Avani be ok?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.