THANE: A man arrested in 2024 for allegedly molesting a minor at a government tribal ashram school was later employed at another such school in Shahapur, where 22 minor girls have now accused him of molestation and inappropriate behaviour.The accused, 35-year-old Ganpat Gavli alias Jhipru, had been working at another ashram school when he was arrested in 2024 following an allegation that he had molested a minor girl. He spent several months in jail before being released on bail, police said.Gavli subsequently joined the government tribal ashram school in Shahapur as a helper to the cook and had been working there for around a year.The latest allegations surfaced on Wednesday after a Class X student reportedly approached police and alleged that Gavli cornered her when she was alone and attempted to sexually assault her.As police investigated the complaint, 21 other minor girls allegedly reported inappropriate behaviour by Gavli, taking the total number of alleged victims to 22.The school is a residential facility, with the boys’ hostel on the second floor and the girls’ hostel on the third. Police suspect Gavli took advantage of the girls’ movement between the hostel and other parts of the school.Shahapur police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and arrested Gavli.Police are now investigating how Gavli was appointed at another government tribal ashram school despite the earlier case, including whether his previous case was known or verified before he was employed.
