A 53-year-old security guard at a private school in Palghar’s Virar area was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sexually abusing two male students, aged 15 and 17, between June 15 and 20. The incidents, which took place in the school’s canteen, prompted a swift police response following a complaint from the school’s manager.

The accused, Raymond Wilson Dias, faces charges under section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment and sections 5, 8, and 12 of the POCSO Act, including penetrative sexual assault. Arnala police registered an FIR and took Dias into custody, with investigations ongoing to ensure justice for the victims.

The case echoes a recent tragedy in Badlapur, Thane, where a school sweeper’s assault on two young girls last August sparked massive protests. That accused was killed in September 2024 during a police encounter after allegedly attempting to seize an officer’s weapon. The Palghar incident has reignited concerns about child safety in schools, with authorities under pressure to strengthen preventive measures and ensure accountability.