Pune: The director of a renowned school in Karvenagar, Anvit Sudhir Phatak, has been arrested following allegations of sexual abuse against a dance teacher employed at the institution. The case has sparked outrage among parents and the wider community, raising serious concerns about child safety measures in schools.
The accused dance teacher allegedly showed explicit videos to students and subjected them to abuse, recording the incidents on his mobile phone. He reportedly threatened to share the footage and harm the children if they reported the abuse. These offenses are said to have taken place between November and December 2024.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam confirmed that the dance teacher was taken into custody as soon as the matter came to light. The director Anvit Phatak, was later arrested for failing to act on the complaints and ensuring the safety of the students.
During subsequent counseling sessions at the school, additional cases of abuse involving other children were uncovered. A delegation of concerned parents met with Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to demand a thorough investigation. They accused the school administration, including its trustees, of negligence and called for strict punitive measures.
Parents pointed to critical lapses, including the absence of “Good Touch, Bad Touch” awareness programs, irregular parent-teacher meetings, and insufficient background verification of staff. They alleged that these failures contributed to the environment that allowed such incidents to occur.
