A 35-year-old kitchen helper at a Maharashtra government-run tribal boarding school has been arrested under the POCSO Act after 22 female students accused him of molestation and inappropriate touching, with the case also raising questions over his alleged involvement in a similar case at another tribal school in 2024.
The accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli, worked at the Adivasi Ashram Shala at Tembhe in Thane district’s Shahapur taluka. The students, from Classes 6 to 10, alleged that Gavli repeatedly touched them when they went to the kitchen to leave their utensils after lunch or dinner.
An FIR has been registered against Gavli and police have arrested him under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
22 STUDENTS COME FORWARD
The matter came to light on August 24 when one female student approached the school headmistress and complained about the alleged molestation.
Following her complaint, 21 more female students came forward and submitted a written complaint to the headmaster. The complaint was signed by the students and alleged that Gavli repeatedly touched them whenever he passed by while they were taking their plates or returning utensils after meals.
The students also alleged that they had previously complained about Gavli’s behaviour to the school superintendent. According to their complaint, the superintendent on some occasions became angry with the girls instead of addressing their concerns. The students also alleged that some of them had previously been abused by the superintendent.
These allegations are part of the students’ complaint and are being investigated.
ACCUSED HAD FACED POCSO CASE IN 2024
The case has also brought scrutiny on Gavli’s previous employment history.
According to the information available, Gavli had allegedly been accused of molesting a minor student at another tribal boarding school in 2024. He was arrested by police in a POCSO case at the time.
Despite the earlier case, Gavli was later released on bail, his suspension was revoked and he was appointed to another tribal boarding school where female students were present.
The development has raised questions over how he was allowed to return to work at another institution under the Tribal Development Department.
ITDP OFFICIALS QUESTIONED
Aaj Tak approached the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) office in Shahapur and questioned officials about Gavli’s reappointment despite the earlier POCSO case.
Assistant Tribal Development Project Officer B R Jadhav, who is in charge of the Education Department at Shahapur, said strict action would now be taken against Gavli.
Jadhav said Gavli’s earlier suspension had been revoked by the office of the Assistant Tribal Commissioner. He said the department had now acted on the complaints made by the minor students and police had arrested Gavli under POCSO provisions.
POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
Police have registered an FIR following the complaints and arrested Gavli. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Vishal Nagargoje is handling the police side of the case in Shahapur.
Tribal Development officials have also promised stringent measures against Gavli and said steps would be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in tribal boarding schools.
The allegations against the school superintendent and the circumstances surrounding Gavli’s earlier case and subsequent reinstatement are also likely to come under scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
– Ends
Published By:
Sonali Verma
Published On:
Aug 31, 2026 20:06 IST
