A complaint by one student at a tribal residential school in Maharashtra led to 21 more girls coming forward.
The 22 girls, all minors, accused a school kitchen worker of repeatedly touching them inappropriately. Police arrested him under the POCSO Act.
The investigation then brought up another detail.
The accused had faced a POCSO case involving a minor at another tribal school in 2024. He was later working at another residential school.
The case comes as NCRB data shows that 69,191 POCSO cases were registered across India in 2024.
What happened at the Maharashtra hostel, and how did 22 girls end up complaining against the same worker?
What Happened At The School?
The incident was reported at the Adivasi Ashram Shala in Tembhe, in Shahapur taluka of Thane district.
The school is a residential institution where students stay on campus. The girls who complained were studying in Classes 6 to 10.
According to the complaints, the accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli, worked as a helper to the cook at the school.
The students alleged that Gavli repeatedly touched them when they went to the kitchen to leave their plates and utensils after meals.
They also alleged that he touched them while passing by as they returned their utensils after lunch or dinner. Police are investigating the allegations and the full extent of the alleged misconduct.
How Did The Case Come To Light?
The allegations surfaced on 24 August 2026.
A Class 10 student reportedly approached the school headmistress and complained about Gavli's alleged behaviour.
Her complaint encouraged other students to speak up.
Within the investigation, 21 more girls reportedly came forward and submitted a written complaint to the school authorities.
This took the total number of students making allegations against Gavli to 22.
The students also alleged that they had previously raised concerns about Gavli's conduct with the school superintendent.
According to their complaint, the superintendent allegedly became angry with the girls on some occasions instead of addressing their concerns. Some students also made allegations of inappropriate conduct against the superintendent.
These claims remain allegations and are being investigated separately. There has been no finding of guilt against the superintendent based on the reports available so far.
Who Is The Accused?
Ganpat Gavli, 35, worked as a kitchen helper at the government-run Adivasi Ashram Shala in Tembhe, Shahapur, Thane district. He had been working at the school for around a year before the latest complaints surfaced. Students from Classes 6 to 10 were staying at the residential school.
Gavli was employed as a helper to the cook and worked around the school kitchen, where the students would come to leave their plates and utensils after meals.
He had also previously faced a POCSO case in 2024 involving a minor at another tribal school. He was later released on bail and went on to work at the Shahapur school.
The Previous POCSO Case
The investigation took another turn when Gavli's earlier employment history came under scrutiny.
According to police and officials quoted by Times of India, Gavli had been arrested in 2024 in connection with an alleged similar offence involving a minor at another government tribal ashram school in Aghai.
He spent several months in jail before being released on bail.
His suspension in that earlier case was later revoked, according to an official quoted by Moneycontrol. He subsequently joined another tribal school, where he worked for around a year before the latest allegations emerged.
That has raised a central question in the case: How was a person who had previously faced a POCSO case allowed to work again at another residential school with minor students?
Officials are now examining the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
What Police Have Done
Shahapur police registered an FIR after receiving the students' complaints.
Gavli was arrested under provisions of the POCSO Act, which provides legal protection to children from sexual offences. Police are investigating the allegations, including when the alleged misconduct took place and its extent.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Vishal Nagargoje is overseeing the police investigation in Shahapur, according to the reports.
The Tribal Development Department has also said that action will be taken against Gavli.
An official from the Integrated Tribal Development Project said Gavli had been suspended following his latest arrest. Officials have also said steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents at tribal residential schools.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What happened?
Twenty-two minor girls at a government tribal boarding school in Thane district accused a kitchen worker of inappropriate touching.
Where did it happen?
At the Adivasi Ashram Shala in Tembhe, Shahapur taluka.
Who is accused?
Thirty-five-year-old Ganpat Gavli, who worked as a helper to the school cook.
How did the case come to light?
A Class 10 student complained on 24 August 2026. Twenty-one other girls subsequently submitted a written complaint.
What did the girls allege?
They alleged that Gavli repeatedly touched them while they were returning plates and utensils after meals.
Did he face a case before?
Yes. Police said he had been arrested in 2024 in an alleged similar case involving a minor at another tribal school.
What has the police done?
Shahapur police registered an FIR and arrested Gavli under the POCSO Act.
What is being investigated now?
Police are investigating the latest allegations, while authorities are also examining his previous case, subsequent appointment and allegations involving the school superintendent.
