Maharashtra Gurukul Chief, Teacher Booked for Sexual Assault Against Minor Student

Authorities in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district have arrested Bhagwan Kokare Maharaj, the head of Warkari Gurukul, and teacher Pritesh Prabhakar Kadam on charges of sexually assaulting a minor female student at the institution. The arrests followed a complaint filed by the victim's father on Monday, after the girl revealed the abuse she endured since her admission on June 12. A case has been registered under Sections 12 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which address sexual harassment and abetment of sexual offenses against children. The accused are currently in two-day police custody as investigations proceed.

Warkari Gurukul, a residential school in Chiplun tehsil, attracts boys and girls from across Maharashtra for spiritual and religious education rooted in the Warkari tradition—a devotional movement centered on the 13th-century saint-poet Dnyaneshwar and pilgrimages to Pandharpur. The initial eight days of the victim's stay passed without incident, but she alleged that Kokare began targeting her when she was alone in her room, punching her and inappropriately touching her chest. Kadam, the teacher, allegedly abetted the assaults by threatening the girl with severe repercussions, including implicating her father in false cases, harming her and her brother, and denying her further education. These threats silenced the victim until she confided in her father, prompting swift police action.

The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, where the gurukul is regarded as a sanctuary for cultural and moral upbringing. Police officials confirmed the arrests were made promptly after the FIR, with forensic teams expected to examine the premises for evidence. The investigation will explore the extent of the abuse and potential involvement of other staff members. Under the POCSO Act, enacted in 2012 to safeguard minors from sexual exploitation, penalties for such offenses can include rigorous imprisonment up to life, reflecting India's stringent legal framework amid rising concerns over child safety in educational institutions.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav has raised alarms about possible additional victims, urging a thorough probe to uncover if other girls at the gurukul suffered similar ordeals. "This is a heinous betrayal of trust in a place meant for spiritual growth," Jadhav stated, calling for immediate counseling support for affected students and enhanced oversight of such facilities. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in regulating religious and educational boarding schools in rural India, where reports of abuse occasionally surface despite awareness campaigns. As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilant child protection mechanisms nationwide.

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