Pune: The director of reputed Karvenagar school in Pune has been remanded to judicial custody for alleged administrative negligence in a case involving sexual abuse of minors by a dance teacher of the school. The accused teacher, Mangesh Salve, is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

Mangesh Salve (30, a resident of Vishrantwadi), employed as a dance teacher, allegedly showed explicit videos to two minors and sexually abused them. The children disclosed these details during a counseling session at the school. Acting on the administration’s complaint, the Warje police filed a case under the POCSO Act and detained Salve.

Following complaints from concerned parents, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar instructed legal action against the school’s director, Anvit Sudhir Phatak (40). Investigators are probing whether Phatak allowed Salve to conduct unauthorized private dance classes and if there was any attempt to conceal the misconduct.

On Friday (December 20), Special Public Prosecutor Premkumar Agarwal highlighted the need for police custody of the director to ensure thorough investigation. Agarwal emphasized the gravity of the allegations, including Salve’s reported abuse of additional victims. Despite this, the court decided on judicial custody for Phatak.

Congress Delegation Steps In

A Congress delegation, led by city president Arvind Shinde, met with the school authorities to demand impartial and stringent action against those responsible. The team also urged the administration to prioritize justice for the victims.

The incident has caused a divide among parents. Some have expressed full support for the school administration, asserting that it should not bear responsibility for the teacher’s actions. Others have demanded stricter accountability to ensure such incidents do not recur.