Maharashtra Tribal School Kitchen Helper Arrested After 22 Girls Alleged Molestation
· India · India Today, Hindustan Times
Police have arrested a 35-year-old kitchen helper at a government-run tribal boarding school in Shahapur taluka of Thane district after 22 students accused him of repeated molestation. The accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli, allegedly touched the female students from Classes 6 to 10 inappropriately when they visited the kitchen to return utensils after meals. The matter surfaced on August 24 when a student reported the behavior to the school headmistress, prompting 21 other girls to submit a written complaint. The students also alleged that the school superintendent dismissed their previous complaints and reacted angrily on certain occasions. Records show Gavli had previously faced arrest in a 2004 POCSO case at another tribal school before securing bail and returning to employment.
Why it matters
The case has triggered widespread concern over child safety protocols in residential tribal institutions and raised critical questions about why an individual with a prior POCSO arrest was reinstated in a school environment.
Read the original report — India Today
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