Police have arrested a 59-year-old kitchen helper at a state-run residential school in Thane district after 22 students reported abuse. The case has raised concerns over administrative oversight, as the accused had prior pending charges under the POCSO Act yet remained employed at the facility.
Authorities in Maharashtra have arrested a kitchen helper at a government-run tribal residential ashram school in Shahapur, Thane district, following a series of serious allegations. The 59-year-old accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli, was taken into custody after 22 female students from Classes 6 through 10 submitted a formal complaint alleging repeated instances of inappropriate physical contact.
The incident has shifted focus toward the administrative protocols of the state's Tribal Development Department, as investigations revealed that the accused was previously arrested in 2024 in connection with a separate POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case at another institution. Despite those prior charges, he was reinstated to a position of responsibility at the Tembhe facility, a decision that is now under intense scrutiny by state officials.
Beyond the primary allegations against the kitchen helper, the investigation is examining the conduct of the school superintendent. Reports indicate that students alleged the superintendent ignored previous complaints regarding the helper's behavior and displayed hostility toward those who attempted to report the misconduct. This alleged inaction has led to demands for accountability within the school's management structure.
Assistant Tribal Development Project Officer B.R. Jadhav has confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the accused's reinstatement—which was reportedly authorized by the office of the Assistant Tribal Commissioner—are being reviewed. The case has sparked a wider conversation regarding the vetting and verification processes for staff working in state-run residential facilities.
The ongoing criminal inquiry, led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Vishal Nagargoje, is expected to determine not only the culpability of the accused but also the extent of systemic failure that allowed a previously charged individual to work directly with minors. The Tribal Development Department is currently facing pressure to explain the lapse in oversight and whether existing hiring protocols will be overhauled to prevent similar failures in the future.