Thane School Helper Arrested for Molestation of 22 Girls

A shocking incident has come to light in Thane district, where a 35-year-old kitchen helper at a Maharashtra government-run tribal boarding school has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused, Ganpat Gavli, worked at the Adivasi Ashram Shala in Tembhe, located in Shahapur taluka.

The allegations against Gavli surfaced on August 24, when one female student approached the school headmistress and complained about his alleged behaviour. Following her complaint, another 21 students came forward and submitted a written complaint to the headmaster. The students, studying in Classes 6 to 10, alleged that Gavli repeatedly touched them inappropriately when they went to the school kitchen to leave their utensils after lunch or dinner.

According to the complaint, Gavli allegedly touched the girls repeatedly whenever he passed them while they were carrying plates or returning utensils after meals. The students also alleged that they had previously raised concerns about Gavli's behaviour with the school superintendent, but their complaints were ignored. In fact, the superintendent allegedly became angry with the girls instead of addressing their complaints.

The students have also made allegations of inappropriate behaviour against the superintendent, which are being investigated. The latest case has also raised questions over Gavli's previous employment history. It has been revealed that Gavli had allegedly faced a POCSO case in 2024 after being accused of molesting a minor student at another tribal residential school.

Gavli was arrested in connection with that case and was later released on bail. His suspension was later revoked, and he was reportedly appointed to another tribal residential school where female students were studying. His reappointment has now come under scrutiny, with questions being raised over how a person who had previously faced a POCSO case was allowed to return to work at another institution under the Tribal Development Department.

The Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) office in Shahapur has faced questions over Gavli's appointment despite his earlier case. Assistant Tribal Development Project Officer B R Jadhav has said that strict action would be taken against Gavli. Jadhav added that following the latest complaints by the students, police had registered a case and arrested him under POCSO provisions.

The police are currently investigating the case, and Gavli's arrest has sent shockwaves through the community. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of students in government-run schools, particularly in tribal areas. It has also highlighted the need for stricter background checks and monitoring of school staff to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

The arrest of Gavli is a significant development in the case, and it is expected that further action will be taken against him. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the need for greater accountability and transparency in the functioning of government-run schools, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

In conclusion, the arrest of the kitchen helper at the tribal boarding school in Thane's Shahapur is a disturbing incident that highlights the need for greater vigilance and action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. It is essential that the authorities take strict action against the accused and ensure that the students receive the support and protection they need.