TN shelter home case: NHRC issues notice to govt, seeks report within 4 weeks

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Feb 1 (ANI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday took suo motu cognizance of media reports of alleged abuse of 15 minor girls who were rescued from a shelter home in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai district.
The NHRC took the matter following complaints of sexual abuse against the in-charge of the shelter home who has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Commission issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report in the matter, within four weeks including action taken against the guilty and steps taken for relief, rehabilitation and counselling of the victims.
The NHRC said that such an incident was not the first instance. In the recent past, the Commission came across several incidents of such nature, occurred in various parts of the country, where the girl inmates have been sexually abused in custody either by staff or the persons who run the shelter homes.
"The incidents of sexual abuse of innocent minor girls at the hands of their custodian are shameful and also call for a review of the monitoring mechanism by the state authorities. The police and the social welfare departments of the states have to come together to ensure strict compliance of the procedure laid down under the law with regard to running shelter homes, especially for the women," the Commission said.
According to reports, the District Collector reportedly visited the shelter home and sealed the premises. The issue came to light as some of the inmates informed the authorities about alleged sexual abuse by the accused, during a safety campaign.
Reportedly, the victims have alleged in writings that the in-charge of the home, made them watch pornographic content before abusing them.
The rescued girls have been shifted to a government facility and further investigation in the case is underway. (ANI)