Probe widens, staff under scanner

Police to book employees of orphanage for physically assaulting kids, to probe sexual abuse angle as well; arrests likely in a day or two.

The Delhi Police have decided to book employees of Arya orphanage on charges of physically assaulting residents of the children's home.

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The police are investigating if they sexually assaulted the children. If they get evidence of sexual abuse, the police will book them under stricter sections.On Monday, the police included the names of five employees -- electrician, plumbers, guards and warden -- of the orphanage in the existing two FIRs and said they would be arrested in a day or two for physical abuse.

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"One of the victims was produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Monday. He said even staffers used to physically abuse kids. The report of Haq: Centre for Child Rights has also revealed the same and we have decided to take action against them," a senior police officer said.

"We have asked Delhi Police to investigate the role of guards and electrician as many children have complained about their role too. The names mentioned in the CWC report will be given to police," a senior Delhi government official said.

The police had earlier said they could investigate cases in which either CWC or the children's parents are complainants. The children had told the police and NGO that the warden used to parade them in front of outsiders, and guards and senior inmates passed lewd comments and molested them.

"In the reports submitted by the CWC and the NGO, named of staffers have come up. We were waiting for official complaints. A team will be sent to interrogate them," the officer further said.