22 minors molested in ashram shala, accused arrested

A helper at an ashram school in Thane district's Shahapur region was arrested on August 26 for allegedly molesting 22 minor female students, according to a police official. The accused, identified as Ganpat Gavli, a 35-year-old cook, is reportedly a repeat offender. In 2024, Gavli allegedly sexually molested a girl at another ashram shala, though he was on bail at that time.

The incident came to light when a 10th-grade student complained to authorities on August 24, alleging that Gavli had cornered her and attempted to sexually assault her. Following the investigation, 21 other girls came forward with similar complaints against the accused. Ganpat Gavli was subsequently arrested on Wednesday, August 26, and charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Police have filed a case against the accused. The ITDP officer, Tejaswini R. Galande, revealed that Gavli is a repeat offender who had previously worked at an ashram school in Aghai and was only 10 months away from retirement. Before joining the ashram school in Temba, Gavli was employed at Moroshi Ashram school in Murbad. Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his appointment at the Temba ashram school, questioning why he was hired despite his criminal record.