Probe smells sex racket in Delhi orphanage

The Delhi Police may file more FIRs on the sexual abuse of children at central Delhi’s Arya Orphanage amid suspicion that a sex racket thrived at the premises. This orphanage also housed the 14-year-old girl who brought the battered baby to AIIMS. Neelam Pandey & Faizan Haider report. Children were paraded before outsiders: Report | ‘Other inmates were also abused’ | Dark tale

The Delhi Police may file more FIRs on the sexual abuse of children at central Delhi’s Arya Orphanage amid suspicion that a sex racket thrived at the premises.

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A report by NGO Haq: Centre for Child Rights has stated that children there were paraded before outsiders. The male inmates and staff had free access to the female section.

This orphanage also housed the 14-year-old girl who brought the battered baby to AIIMS. She reportedly lived there for some time before running away.

The police and government have begun separate probes into the alleged sexual and physical assaults. “An inquiry by the child welfare committee confirmed cases of sexual abuse. Some children were afraid to speak out. Safety of the victims is paramount. We are looking at shifting some of them to our own shelters,” said Delhi women and child welfare minister Kiran Walia.

A 14-year-old boy nabbed for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl, too, has mentioned instances of sexual abuse. The girl died in December.

“We are verifying the complaints. The parents of another boy have claimed he was sodomised. We will do a medical test and register a separate FIR,” said a police officer.