22 minors molested in ashram shala, accused arrested

The cook, identified as Ganpat Gavli (35), is said to be a repeat offender. File. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

A helper at Temba Ashram School in Shahapur area of ​​Thane district was arrested on August 26 for allegedly molesting 22 minor girl students, a police official said on Friday (28 Aug 2026).

The cook, identified as Ganpat Gavli (35), is said to be a repeat offender. According to the Thane police, in 2024, he allegedly sexually harassed a girl in another ashram shala. Gavli was on bail in the previous case when he joined the Shahapur ashram shala as an assistant cook.

On August 24, a Class 10 student lodged a complaint against Ganpat, saying Gavli cornered her and tried to sexually assault her. “Twenty-one more girls have come forward who have pointed out the indecent behavior of the accused during the investigation,” said a Thane police official. He was arrested on Wednesday (August 26, 2026).

The police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) and arrested the accused. Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) officer Tejaswini R. Galande said, “The accused is a repeat offender and used to work at an ashram school in Aghai. He was 10 months away from retirement.”

Before joining the ashram school in Temba, he worked at the Moroshi ashram school in Murbad. The police are investigating who appointed him and why he was appointed despite his criminal record.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 03:36 IST