Govt appoints administrator to manage children home

Following allegations of alleged serial sexual abuse at Arya Orphanage in Daryaganj, the Delhi government on Monday stepped in and took things under its direct control.

Following allegations of alleged serial sexual abuse at Arya Orphanage in Daryaganj, the Delhi government on Monday stepped in and took things under its direct control.

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The government appointed a senior officer of the department of women and child development as administrator of the orphanage. PP Dhal, a joint director with the department, will look after the regular administration and take steps to prevent further exploitation of 1,600-odd boys and girls living in the private children's home.

"We are very keen to shift the children who mustered courage and spoke against the staff of the orphanage to some other place. There might be some pressure on them. But a final decision in this regard will only be taken once the government-appointed administrator takes over the orphanage and assesses the situation himself," Delhi women and child welfare minister Kiran Walia said.

Most of the kids living in the orphanage study in a school in the same premises and their final examination is just around the corner, Walia said.

"We have to see that their studies are not disturbed. Also, we have to identify the children's home where these kids can be shifted," she added.

With more tales of abuse coming out in the open, the government has decided to register first investigation reports (FIRs) against the staff of the orphanage.

Walia said the child welfare committee has been told to gather details and approach the police against the staff who tormented the inmates.