Nagpur: A 44-year-old watchman posted at Vasantrao Naik Residential Ashramshala at Pusagondi in Nagpur rural was arrested for alleged sexual exploitation of inmates, including an attempted assault on a boy late Monday. Accused, Rajesh Malapure, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged under stringent provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act and relevant sections of SC/ST Act, said Kondhali police station in-charge Sumeet Parteki.Hours after midnight on Monday he allegedly entered a boys’ hostel room and tried to sexually assault a student, who raised an alarm, after which Malapure fled. Other boys in the room woke up and when the supervisor questioned students, it emerged he had committed a similar crime with another boy. A girl student too stated Malapure made indecent advances towards her.The supervisor immediately informed district collector Kumar Ashirwad, who directed strict action against the accused and a thorough probe into the matter.A special team comprising district women and child development officer Sunil Mesre, district child protection officer Mushtak Pathan, district child protection coordinator Prasanajit Gaikwad, and child safety officers Sadhana Thombre and Meenakshi Dhadade are camping at the ashramshala. They are interacting with all 260 inmates and recording their statements.The ashramshala, which runs classes from 1 to 10 and provides residential education to tribal and underprivileged children, currently has around 350 students, of whom 72 girls and 48 boys stay in the hostel. Administration emphasised safety of every child will be prioritised and probe will be thorough. Kondhali police are reviewing security arrangements at the school.
