Broken EastEnders teen Avani brutally lashes out after disturbing strip search

This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on iPlayer.

Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) has been left shaken after a disturbing interaction at Walford Police Station.

Earlier this week, the 15-year-old – alongside pals Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) and Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) – was carted off for questioning after some pills were found at her feet.

As viewers saw, none of the trio actually handled the drugs, as they were dropped by Avani’s vape dealer when he saw the police approaching.

Several calls were made to the girls’ responsible adults, though only Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) arrived to pick up their respective youngster.

Avani’s mum Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) purposely ignored the private number calling her, whilst her dad Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) was too busy working.

As a result of her attitude and lack of cooperation, the police claimed they had no other option but to search her for more narcotics.

She was, naturally, spooked by the situation, and refused the guardianship from an appropriate adult in the room. Avani also didn’t realise that she would have to strip – even taking off her underwear – in front of two strangers.

One of the officers could see how terrified she was, explaining that she could take her time. However, the other took a strict approach and made the situation as dehumanising as possible.

Making Avani bend over, the tough officer’s colleague turned away in horror, knowing how uncomfortable the teen felt.

No other drugs were found. Avani was free to go, and her step-grandmother Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) arrived to collect her.

She was disgusted to learn that the search had been needlessly conducted, even though the other girls had been found innocent.

Suki was adamant that a complaint should be made, though when she asked to speak to a supervisor, she could see that Avani was frozen in horror and decided to drive her home.

One of the first people she ran into was Amy, who had no idea of how bad the situation had escalated. Avani tore strips off her mate, and her words will clearly reverberate in Amy’s mind for a long time to come.

At home, Priya was too focussed on her television show and didn’t notice her daughter’s low mood.

When she began to explain, Priya found much hilarity in the fact Avani had been picked up by the police and warned her not to get caught in future.

This was, however, without knowing the extent of what had happened.

Avani began to brandish her a bad mother, scorning her for buying her inappropriate underwear and not providing adequate meals. Priya was horrified and a huge row escalated.

Then the truth was outed. Avani broke down, and admitted that she’d been forced to strip naked and then lean over in front of the officers.

Fuelled with rage, Priya rushed across The Square and slammed on Jack’s door, screaming about the morality of her colleagues.

Avani was devastated, and pleaded with her mum to stop. Lily and Amy overheard the commotion – and every detail of her ordeal, and tried to calm her down.

Unfortunately, Avani began to suffer a panic attack and darted home, where she broke down on the staircase.

EastEnders continues Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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