Odisha: Shelter home head arrested for assault

Bhubaneswar: Hours after Odisha’s Bolangir Child Welfare Committee confirmed truth behind the allegations that Saroj Das, the head of Vision, an organization which manages ‘Prayas’ shelter home in Bhawanipatna, sexually abused a minor inmate, the police arrested the accused.

On Monday morning, Bolangir CWC chairperson Jageswar Mohanty informed that his team had received vital leads in connection with the allegations against Das.

The district sub-collector along with the members of district child protection unit also conducted a raid in the shelter home. Apart from verifying documents, they questioned some inmates of the shelter home over the matter.

“We have got some proof that Saroj Das has sexually abused the minor girl. Apart from the survivor’s mother, the girl also agreed that she was assaulted by Saroj. A case will be registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Section 376 of the IPC against the accused at Bhawanipatna police station,” CWC chairperson Jageswar Mohanty informed.

The cops also questioned the survivor and her mother to ascertain truth behind the matter.

However, the CWC chairperson has flagged concerns over police interrogation of the complainant and the survivor in the absence of CWC officials. The CWC chairperson has said that it will move the collector and SP if required. In her complaint, the girl’s mother from Bolangir district alleged that Saroj sexually assaulted several inmates, including her daughter, with the support of the senior lady employee. However, Saroj has pleaded innocence.