2 Gadchiroli teachers accused of sexual abuse of tribal students; 1 held

Nagpur: A teacher was arrested while another was served police notice for allegedly making sexual advances, assaulting and inappropriately touching minor tribal girls at an ashramshala in Mulchera taluka of Gadchiroli district. The action was taken after 22 girl students recorded their statements with the police, detailing repeated instances of misconduct by the teachers.The teachers, identified as Subhash Lande (41) and Sandeep Fad (36) were charged under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police said the duo made undue advances and touched the cheeks and backs of the tribal students under various pretexts over a period between September 20, 2025, and February 7, 2026.Investigations revealed that during Diwali last year, similar allegations of inappropriate behaviour had surfaced against Fad, but the matter was not pursued seriously at the time, said police.As per the statement given by the girls, on February 7, the two teachers assigned written tasks to them before leaving the classroom. Upon returning, they discovered that two students failed to complete the work satisfactorily and could not provide proper answers. Lande and Fad allegedly accused them of mass copying and began spanking their palms with bamboo sticks. The brutal act, combined with earlier alleged sexual misconduct, pushed the girls to a breaking point, said police.On February 8, the girls confided in the hostel warden who immediately informed the education department, which in turn directed that all 22 affected students be taken for medical examination at the govt hospital in Mulchera on the next day.As per protocol in cases involving minors, hospital authorities alerted the police. Mulchera police station registered a case under relevant sections of POCSO Act and other applicable laws on February 10. Lande was arrested the same day, while Fad was released after being served notice. Senior inspector Mahesh Vidhate of Mulchera police station said he had conducted three awareness camps at the same school recently, focusing on ‘Good Touch, Bad Touch' and cyber awareness to educate students about personal safety and boundaries.Police are maintaining a strict vigil around the school and are preparing a watertight charge-sheet. The case has triggered debate on the urgent need for stricter teacher screening, regular surprise inspections, mandatory installation of CCTV in common areas, dedicated female wardens, and stronger grievance redressal mechanisms in ashram schools.