Molestation case: Girls to quit hostel after owner’s arrest

The 56-year-old women’s hostel owner was arrested on Monday on charges of molesting a three-year-old girl in Jaipur’s Bani Park area

Hours after a 56-year-old women’s hostel owner was arrested on charges of molesting the minor daughter of his family cook, some of the girls living in the hostel said they would quit it soon.

The hostel owner was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 after medical tests on Monday confirmed that he inserted fingers inside the private parts of the three-year-old daughter of their cook. (Pic for representation)

“I don’t think that I will stay here anymore. Singh used to come here once or twice in a month and we never really spoke with him. Although, I never witnessed any untoward behaviour from him, some of us used to get irked when he would touch our head to give blessings,” said a hostel resident, who didn’t wish to be named.

The hostel, spread over parts of two floors, currently houses six girls.

The wife of the accused said they have nothing to fear as her husband was innocent. They alleged that he was framed.

“We have been running this hostel for women since 1997. This is one of the first such hostels in Jaipur. There was a time when over 25 girls would live here and none of them had any problem with my husband. I am sure that my husband is innocent,” said the wife of the accused.

However, the residents of the hostel were unconvinced of claims made by the wife of the accused. “We have heard the girl saying that the accused has touched her inappropriately. After hearing this, we can’t stay at the hostel anymore,” said another resident.