A 35-year-old staff member, Ganpat Gavli, has been arrested after 22 minor girls at a government-run tribal residential school in Temba, Shahapur, Thane, Maharashtra, allegedly reported sexual harassment and inappropriate physical contact.
The allegations came to light on August 24, when a Class 10 student approached school authorities with a complaint. During the subsequent inquiry, 21 other girls reportedly came forward with similar allegations. Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and arrested Gavli, who was later remanded in police custody.
The development has drawn further concern after officials revealed that Gavli had previously faced a POCSO case involving an alleged incident at another ashram school, had been suspended and jailed, and was later posted at another residential school before being transferred to Temba. Authorities have now suspended him again, while police investigate the allegations and the students are to receive counselling and support.
Complaints Prompt Action
The allegations concern students living at the residential school, where staff members are entrusted with the care and daily needs of children. According to police, Gavli worked as a helper to the school cook and was involved in distributing food to students.
Some reports, however, have described him as a cook. Police said they received a complaint alleging that he repeatedly subjected girls staying at the ashram school hostel to inappropriate physical contact and sexual harassment. The matter surfaced after a Class 10 student reportedly approached the school superintendent on August 24 and alleged that Gavli had touched her inappropriately when she was alone. The superintendent referred the complaint to the headmaster, who immediately informed the Tribal Development Department. A complaint was subsequently filed at Shahapur police station. During the inquiry, other students reportedly came forward, taking the total number of complainants to 22.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Shahapur) Vishal Nagargoje said a criminal case had been registered under relevant provisions of the BNS and POCSO Act. He added that investigators were examining the extent and duration of the alleged abuse. Officials have also said that the affected students will receive appropriate counselling and support services.
Earlier POCSO Case
What has intensified scrutiny of the case is the accused’s reported history. Tejaswini R Galande, project officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Shahapur, said Gavli had previously been booked under the POCSO Act following allegations of molestation at the Aghai ashram school. According to officials, he had been suspended at the time and was jailed in connection with the earlier case. After his release, he was reportedly posted at the Moroshi ashram school in Murbad before being transferred to the Temba school. Galande said Gavli had only around 10 months left before retirement and described him as a “habitual offender”, while also questioning how and by whom he had been reinstated.
“It is currently not known how and by whom he was reinstated,” she said. The official further said that the latest allegations could not be dismissed lightly, noting that it would be difficult to explain why multiple girls would independently narrate similar accounts. Gavli has now been suspended following his arrest. Police are also examining whether there were other incidents involving him and are investigating how he came to be employed at a residential institution housing minor girls.
The revelation raises questions that go beyond the immediate criminal investigation. Residential schools, particularly those housing children away from their families, carry a heightened responsibility to ensure that every person interacting with students is appropriately vetted and monitored.
A previous POCSO case involving an employee who was later posted at another institution should prompt authorities to examine the procedures followed during recruitment, reinstatement, transfers and background verification. At the same time, the allegations against Gavli must be established through a fair investigation and due legal process. The focus should remain on protecting the children, ensuring that their accounts are heard without intimidation, and preventing any further risk to them or other students.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Children living in government-run residential schools should be able to study, eat, sleep and grow in an environment where safety is non-negotiable. The allegations involving 22 girls are deeply concerning, but the reported history of the accused makes the questions around institutional accountability even more important. It is not enough for authorities to act only after multiple complaints emerge; robust screening, transparent disciplinary procedures, careful monitoring and clear mechanisms for students to report inappropriate behaviour are essential safeguards.
Equally important is ensuring that children who speak up are believed enough to be heard, protected from retaliation and provided professional support throughout the investigation. The present case should therefore lead not only to accountability if the allegations are proved, but also to a thorough examination of how the accused was able to return to a school environment after an earlier POCSO case. How can authorities strengthen safeguards so that every child in a residential school feels safe, heard and protected?
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