Two female employees at a girls' observation home in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, are facing accusations of being complicit in the sexual assault of a minor. Allegedly, these staff members facilitated the rape by taking the girl outside the observation home.
The Haldwani Police initiated a case against the two accused female employees following a written complaint by Ravindra Rautela, a member of the Child Welfare Committee. The observation homes serve as facilities for housing accused juveniles.
In his formal complaint, Ravindra Rautela outlined that the two female employees would escort a minor from the juvenile home to an external location, where she would then become the victim of sexual assault.
Prompt action was taken by the Haldwani Police, who late on Friday night filed charges against both female employees under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Child Welfare Committee members also engaged with the minor, who recounted the distressing experience during their interactions.
Harbans Singh, ASP City, affirmed that a thorough investigation is in progress, and charges have been levied against the accused women.
Minister of Child and Women Development, Rekha Arya, expressed her response on social media, emphasizing a policy of zero tolerance for negligence in a government that upholds such principles. Arya highlighted swift measures taken in response to the incident, including the immediate suspension of one accused individual and the recall of the other, who was deployed through the home guard department at the Women's Welfare and Rehabilitation Center in Haldwani.
In light of the incident, a specialized departmental investigation committee, comprising two impartial members, has been formed. Rekha Arya affirmed that further actions against the accused women would be determined after a comprehensive investigation.
