In Shahapur, Thane, a 35-year-old assistant at a government tribal ashram school has been arrested for allegedly molesting 22 minor girl students. This incident marks a troubling continuation of a pattern, as the individual was previously arrested in 2024 for a similar offense at another ashram school. The police are currently investigating the case further, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to protect vulnerable students in educational institutions.
The accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli alias Jhipru, allegedly molested a minor girl while working at another ashram school in 2024. He was arrested in the case and spent several months in jail before being released on bail.
Police said a Class X student alleged that the accused cornered her when she was alone and attempted to sexually assault her. He subsequently joined the govt tribal ashram school at the village as a helper to the cook and had been working there for around a year. The school building houses the boys’ hostel on the second floor and the girls’ hostel on the third floor. Police suspect the accused took advantage of the girls’ movement between the hostel and other areas of the school. Shahapur police have registered a case under the Pocso Act and arrested Gavli. Police are also probing how he was appointed at another ashram school despite his previous case.
The latest incident came to light on Wednesday after allegations surfaced that Gavli had repeatedly harassed girl students at the residential school.
During the investigation, 21 other minor girls also allegedly reported inappropriate behaviour by the accused, taking the total number of alleged victims to 22.