Cops yet to file FIR in children’s home sexual abuse case

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have said they are yet to file an FIR in suspected cases of sexual abuse that took place in two children’s homes earlier this year.

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have said they are yet to file an FIR in suspected cases of sexual abuse that took place in two children’s homes earlier this year.

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In a letter to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), police said the children involved denied being sexually assaulted. Seven children from these homes alleged they were sexually assaulted by senior children living under the same roof.

CWC and child rights experts said the police should have registered an FIR at the time of the complaint itself, since children are by nature, known to change their statements when questioned repeatedly.

“The mandatory registration of FIR in case of reporting of sexual offences against children is a question under intensive debate. The law is clear that it has to be mandatorily reported to police by the informant and be mandatorily recorded by the police ,” said Anant Asthana, a child rights lawyer.

In May these children were produced before the CWC in Mayur Vihar by the Salam Balak Trust, an NGO. The organisation informed the CWC about the abuse, following which CWC members visited the home .“The organisation produced nine children and five of them admitted having involved in sexual activities,” CWC members said, in a letter to the Paharganj SHO.

The SHO responded to the letter on June 8, saying no cognisable offence has been made out, since the children denied any abuse.