Formerly arrested school aide faces new molestation accusations from 22 girls in Thane
A man previously detained for alleged child molestation was hired at a tribal school in Shahapur, where 22 minor girls have now reported sexual abuse.
Ganpat Gavli, also known as Jhipru, was taken into custody in 2024 following an accusation that he molested a girl at a government tribal ashram school. After spending several months in jail, he obtained bail and was subsequently hired as a helper to the cook at a different government tribal ashram school in Shahapur, where he worked for about a year. On Wednesday, a Class X student reported that Gavli cornered her alone and attempted a sexual assault, leading to 21 more minor girls reporting inappropriate conduct by him.
The residential school comprises separate hostels for boys and girls, and investigators suspect Gavli exploited the girls' movements between facilities. Shahapur police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and arrested Gavli, while also examining why he was appointed despite the earlier allegation.
Why it matters
The case highlights failures in vetting staff for schools serving vulnerable tribal children.
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