Probe begins into sexual abuse charge in Mahabs

Probe begins into sexual abuse charge in Mahabs
26 Nov 2008, 0331 hrs IST, Arun Ram, TNN
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CHENNAI: The state government has initiated an inquiry into allegations of child sexual abuse in orphanages in Mamallapuram. A team of state

officials from the departments of police, revenue and social welfare have started the probe and are expected to submit their report within four weeks. Tamil Nadu’s Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) is also probing the functioning of the orphanages.

“We will close down orphanages found to have guest rooms as reported by The Times of India. We will also arrest the people involved,” Kancheepuram district collector Santosh K Misra said. TOI had carried a report on November 19, highlighting the blatant violation of norms — which had the potential to expose the children to travelling sex offenders — by orphanages and children’s homes in the tourist town.

“All orphanages and children’s homes in Mamallapuram will be inspected. We have specifically instructed the teams to look for guest rooms, which are illegal. We want to send the message loud and clear that these places are being monitored,” Misra said.

About 3.5 lakh children live in orphanages and children’s homes across the state. Of these, only 22,000 are housed in 27 government-run homes. While 1,069 of the private homes are registered with the government, an equal number of them function without proper registration.

CBCID additional director general of police Archana Ramasundaram told tOI that the department had identified Kancheepuram district, in which Mamallapuram falls, for a drive against human trafficking and child abuse.