Pune: Bhaskar Nirgattti, a 53-year-old finance manager at Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission, has been arrested by Yavat police for molesting three minor girls and one adult girl.
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the Pune district, especially since the institution was recently in the spotlight in the Legislative Assembly over religious conversion issues.
The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission is known for providing residence and free education to orphaned, blind, and disabled girls. The organization has been dedicated to the upbringing, education, and employment of these students for many years.
The institution has both private and government schools in the same premises. Hundreds of women reside in the institution, and a female counselor working there filed a complaint with the Yavat police against the manager-accountant for molestation.
Following this, Daund Sub-Divisional Officer Annasaheb Gholap and Yavat Police Inspector Narayan Deshmukh arrested the accused.
A case has been registered under Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) of 2012 . The crime occurred on April 17, but it was reported to the Yavat police station on July 12.
Many social organizations have demanded strict action against the accused working in this institution. At the time, some social organizations were ready to protest at the institution's gate.
However, the police arrested the accused and remanded him to four days of police custody, leading the protesters to withdraw. Social organizations are urging the mission administration to take steps to ensure the safety of the women residing there. A similar incident occurred at this institution 15 years ago. Many believe that some incidents go unreported.
