84 inmates rescued from orphanage sent to child care centres

Rourkela: The Rourkela administration has sent the inmates of the Sarvabhoutik Anath Shishu Ashram, which was raided on Sunday after complaints of sexual harassment of minor girls, to various child care centres in the city. The decision to send the inmates to child care centres was taken at a meeting held by the administration this evening.

Of the 84 inmates rescued during the raid on the orphanage, 13 were sent to the Pradhanpali Sishu Bhawan, 21 to ‘Shanti Bhavan’ run by the Missionaries of Charity, 15 to SOS Children’s village, 20 to Vedvyas Gurukul Ashram, 11 to ‘Disha’ Childline and one to ‘Akashdeep’, while three others were handed over to their respective parents/guardians.

So far 42 child care centres across the district, including 19 in Rourkela city and elsewhere in Panposh sub-division, have been identified. Panposh Sub-Collector S B Mishra said the administration would conduct a thorough check of child care centres run in the city without licenses and necessary permissions. Besides, people in charge of such centres would be sensitized on the mandatory provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

Sources said the infamous Sarvabhoutik Anath Sishu Ashram, founded by Mahendra Bal in the year 1970, had managed to escape action although it had faced serious charges of sexual abuse and other irregularities earlier too. Bal’s nephew Deepak Bal is already in jail on sexual abuse charges. Other members of the family are being interrogated and action would be taken against those found guilty, police sources said. Officials said a report is being prepared to recommend appropriate legal action Bal and his family to serve as a warning to others.

In the meantime, the office of the orphanage has been sealed.