Trial in Rohtak Apna Ghar case enters final leg, CBI court to hear final arguments from Feb 21

In May 2012, nearly 103 inmates, mostly children and young girls, were rescued from the destitute home Apna Ghar in Rohtak.

Trial in the infamous Apna Ghar sexual exploitation case has entered its final stage, with a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Thursday deciding to commence its final arguments from next Wednesday.

The case hit national headlines in May 2012 after a team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) rescued nearly 103 inmates, mostly children and young girls, from the destitute home called Apna Ghar in Rohtak during a surprise raid. (Representative image)

The move comes after the defence counsel rested all its evidence including the testimony of 26 witnesses. The CBI’s counsel produced 121 witnesses during the course of trial that began in 2014.

Defence lawyer Abhishek Rana said the verdict in this case is expected soon as the final arguments will begin from February 21.

Know the case

May 9, 2012: NCPCR conducted a raid at Rohtak’s government-funded destitute home Apna Ghar and rescued over 100 inmates followed by arrest of centre head Jaswanti and her kin

June 8, 2012: Haryana government sealed the shelter and a week later handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation

August 7, 2012: CBI filed a chargesheet against 10 people in special CBI court in Panchkula district courts

September 23, 2014: CBI court framed charges against all the accused and began trial

February 15, 2018: Evidence closed and final arguments to start from February 21

The case hit national headlines in May 2012 after a team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) rescued nearly 103 inmates, mostly children and young girls, from the destitute home called Apna Ghar in Rohtak during a surprise raid.

Inmates of the shelter home were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse besides physical and mental exploitation and used as bonded labour.

After initiating probe, the CBI in the challan in August that year charged Jaswanti Devi, head of the now-sealed Apna Ghar, as prime accused along with nine others.

She has been facing trial for rape, gang-rape, immoral trafficking, hurt, grievous hurt, molestation, causing abortion without woman’s consent, unlawful compulsory labour and treating children with cruelty. Other accused include her son-in-law Jai Bhagwan, brother Jaswant Singh, daughter Sushma, driver Satish, worker Sheela.

Jaswanti, Jaswant, Jai Bhagwan, and Satish are currently lodged in jail while others were released on bail.

Victims identified accused during trial

During the course of the trial, at least four victims identified the main accused and recalled horrific experiences they had undergone during their stay at Apna Ghar. One of victims in her statement before the court narrated how Jai Bhagwan had sexually abused a girl before her.

Other important witness in this case was a woman who runs an NGO in Delhi. She had spotted girls post their escape from Apna Ghar and then took them to the NCPCR, which conducted raids and rescued other inmates.