Cook Helper Arrested for Molesting 22 Students at Shahapur Ashram School

Police have arrested a 35-year-old helper at Temba ashram school in the Shahapur region of Thane district for allegedly molesting 22 minor female students. The accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli, was arrested on August 26 following a formal complaint.

The matter came to light on August 24 when a 10th-grade student filed a complaint against Gavli, stating that he had cornered her and attempted to sexually assault her. Following her report, an investigation was initiated during which 21 other female students came forward to report indecent behaviour by the accused.

Thane police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Authorities stated that Gavli is a repeat offender who was already out on bail in connection with a previous sexual molestation case from 2024 involving a girl at another ashram shala.

According to Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) officer Tejaswini R. Galande, Gavli previously worked at an ashram school in Aghai and was only 10 months away from his retirement. Before being deployed to the ashram school in Temba, he had also worked at Moroshi Ashram school in Murbad.

Police are currently investigating how Gavli secured the appointment as a helper to the cook at the Shahapur institution despite his existing criminal record and pending legal proceedings.