DCW registers FIR against authorities of destitute home; cops yet to act

No action has been taken by the police after the Delhi Commission for Women registered a FIR against the authorities of Children Home for Girls in Nirmal Chhaya Complex on charges of abuse and human rights violations.

The DCW received written complaints from over 32 girl residents of alleged beating, serious human rights violations and lapses in the Home.

A few days ago the FIR was registered at the Hari Nagar police station under Sections 323/326/506/120B IPC and Section 75 JJ Act.

Further, the Commission's chief, Swati Maliwal issued summons to the Director of Women and Child Development and raised the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. following this, Sisodia immediately ordered the transfer and disciplinary proceedings against six staff members including the Superintendent.

"It is shocking that despite the FIR being registered against the erring staff and Deputy CM ordering immediate transfers, the concerned officers are still present in the Home," said Maliwal.

The complaints received from Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) informed that two girls attempted suicide by drinking phenyl on March 21 and were not taken to the hospital. Instead, they were brutally beaten by one house mother.

Another incident on March 20 was reported wherein a girl swallowed pieces of glass in an aim to commit suicide.

The pitiable condition of the girl inmates came to fore following the surprise visit of Swati Maliwal on April 8.

She visited the Home after receiving several complaints from the girl inmates through DSLSA. The visit that lasted for 10 hours was followed by another the next morning.

The girl residents not only complained of repeated beating but also being forced to take injections which allegedly increased their body parts and also disturbed their menstruation cycles.

The authorities at the entry and exit points checked the girls thoroughly. "They complained of severe body ache and suffered irregular menstrual cycle," said sources.

Some inmates also alleged pressing of their private parts both entry and exit points. They were asked to remove clothes to facilitate better checking.

Girls as young as five years of age also complained of being rounded up in the Home.

"The Commission was horrified to note an extreme shortage of staff to the extent that there was only one cook catering to 140 girls.

The Commission witnessed girls cooking their own food, the quality of which was abysmal," said Maliwal.

Also, the Commission observed that the 'rotis' served were raw and mostly inedible.

The drinking water coolers were not functional and there was an inadequate supply of water in the washrooms.

'The house mothers always got food packed for their own homes before it was served to them,' alleged the inmates.

The Commission has urged the police to conduct a speedy investigation in the matter.

"These girls are victims of trafficking, abandonment, incest and other horrific crimes.

They are the most vulnerable and it is the duty of the state to protect them," stated the Commission.