Pune Authorities Take Swift Action Against Unregulated Spiritual School
In a decisive move to protect vulnerable minors, officials from the district child welfare committee, the Alandi Municipal Council, and local police shut down a private spiritual school in Pune on Monday. This action followed a complaint lodged by a boy through the child helpline on March 8, alleging physical and mental harassment at the institute.
Rescue and Inspection Reveal Multiple Violations
Upon receiving the complaint, authorities conducted an immediate inspection of the facility. During this operation, they rescued 21 children and relocated them to government-run hostels to ensure their safety. The inspection uncovered numerous irregularities in the school's functioning, which had been operating for the past four years under a self-proclaimed spiritual guru.
The institute offered accommodation to children and provided spiritual education, including lessons in bhajan, kirtan, and musical instruments. However, it was allegedly running without mandatory government permissions and had failed to comply with basic regulatory requirements. Officials revealed that the operator charged approximately Rs 60,000 per child annually.
Official Statements Highlight Legal Breaches
Madhav Khandekar, chief officer of the Alandi Municipal Council, detailed the violations found. "We discovered multiple issues, including the absence of proper government permission to run the school, lack of required records for each child, and several infrastructure deficiencies," he stated. Additionally, the school building was constructed in violation of civic norms, with three floors built without municipal council approval and no completion certificate.
"The entire operation was illegal," Khandekar emphasized, underscoring the severity of the non-compliance.
Legal Proceedings and Further Actions
The rescued children will be presented before the district child welfare committee in Pune, where their statements will be recorded as part of the legal process. Shatrughan Khokle, a child protection officer associated with the committee, explained that further action depends on these testimonies.
"As per procedure, based on the kids' accounts, we will prepare a report and submit it to local police for action against the institute owner," Khokle said. He added that if investigations confirm physical harassment, police will register appropriate charges under relevant laws.
Broader Concerns About Unregulated Institutions
This incident has raised alarms about the proliferation of unregulated spiritual schools and residential institutes in and around Alandi, many operating without proper supervision. Local activist Rahul Chitalkar noted, "The case highlights the need for monitoring residential educational and spiritual institutions housing children, with strict action against violators of child protection laws."
Prashant Kurhade, president of the municipal council, pointed to a troubling trend. "Alandi has a rich tradition of spiritual teachings, but this legacy has suffered setbacks in recent years due to abuse cases. Authorities have shown neglect, and regular inspections could have prompted safety measures," he lamented, calling for improved oversight to prevent future incidents.
