Thane school assistant arrested for alleged molestation of tribal girls

Police in Thane district, Maharashtra, have arrested Ganpat Gavli, a cook’s assistant at a government-run residential tribal ashram school in Temba, Shahpur, following allegations of molestation by approximately 21 to 22 minor female students.

Tejaswini R Galande, project officer for the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) in Shahapur, stated that Gavli is a habitual offender. He had previously been booked under the POCSO Act for similar crimes at an ashram school in Aghai. Despite a prior suspension and jail time, Gavli was reportedly reinstated and transferred to other locations, including Moroshi, before his recent posting in Temba.

The victims reported the misconduct on August 24, leading to a formal complaint with the Shahapur police. Authorities are currently recording statements from the students and investigating how a previously convicted offender was allowed to return to a position of authority within the residential school system.