The shelter home in Jharkhand’s Palamu
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Two girls at a shelter home in Jharkhand’s Palamu district said they have been sexually exploited multiple times since Diwali, with the director of the home and some female employees accused of involvement in the crime.
The incident came to light when a human rights activist visted the home on Friday (November 29, 2024), leading the girls to confide in her. Two people have been arrested and an FIR is being lodged, including under some sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Palamu Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan told The Hindu.
The Balika Grih, or shelter home, is run by Vikas International, an NGO located in Panchvati Nagar, Soodna, and currently accommodates 28 girls.
Video statement
Human rights activist Sandhya Sinha said that two girls at the shelter home had told her they were “forced to do some dirty work.” She added: “I asked them who, then they said that one Gupta ji in the shelter home who is also called as Dada ji had taken them to his home at the time of Diwali and Chhath to look after his bedridden wife. The girl told me that when she went to the kitchen to bring hot water, this man came from behind and did dirty things with her. One girl said that she has been exploited twice. He also made one unsuccessful attempt with another girl.”
After being alerted to the abuse allegations on Saturday (November 30, 2024) morning, the SP said she had directed an ASP and officers of the mahila thana or women’s police station to investigate. “We have done the video recording of the statement given by the girls and two people have been arrested in the case,” Ms. Ramesan told The Hindu, adding that the process of FIR registration is ongoing. Members of the district Child Welfare Committee were also present at the shelter home while police recorded the statement of the minor girls.
Police questioning revealed that some of girls at the shelter home are above 18 years of age which is against regulations. The condition for the girls to get out of the shelter home was that they should keep the director happy, they alleged. A female employee of the home has also been accused of taking photographs of the girls which were sent to someone.
Published – November 30, 2024 10:20 pm IST
