Temple city of Jammu has slipped into a deep shock after five mentally-challenged girls were allegedly sexually exploited for years in a shelter home at Channi-Rama area of the winter capital.
Police have registered a case of rape under section 376 of Ranbir Penal Code and arrested the manager and guard of the home.
The case came to the fore after rights activists’ petitioned deputy commissioner of Jammu complaining about the sexual exploitation of the girls in the shelter run by Rotary Inner Wheel. “We have picked up the manager and guard of the home. A case has been registered and the investigations are on,” said Atul Kumar Goel, senior superintendent of police, Jammu. Around 45 mentally challenged girls were residing in the facility for years.
Two months back the human rights activists observed suspected activities in the home and they decided to conduct a sting operation.
“We got the information through a fitness trainer that some children are sexually harassed.
We went to ascertain the facts. Although mentally challenged find difficulty in expressing themselves, there was one girl who could express a bit. We took a lead from there and conducted a sting operation,” said Deepika Singh, chairperson, Voice for Rights, an NGO championing the cause of human rights.
Singh said they petitioned both IGP Jammu and DC Jammu separately and also constituted a board which confirmed that some girls were sexually exploited.
Deputy commissioner constituted a team comprising a doctor, a psychiatrist, additional deputy commissioner and SP (city east). It was later established that five inmates were sexually exploited in the home. “It is a well-organised crime. It has been happening God -knows-for-how-many-years. We have reports some girls have gone missing from this home. It needs serious investigation. We are happy that police has taken action but we want them to unearth the conspiracy and arrest the people involved,” Deepika said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}