Sexual exploitation allegations: Officials, inmates questioned

A special team of the Mumbai police crime branch, on Tuesday, questioned the inmates and officials of the government-run women’s shelter home at Mankhurd over the allegations of sexual exploitation made by a former inmate.

A special team of the Mumbai police crime branch, on Tuesday, questioned the inmates and officials of the government-run women’s shelter home at Mankhurd over the allegations of sexual exploitation made by a former inmate.

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One of the former inmates, who claimed that she had fled from the shelter home because of constant threats, had, on Monday, alleged that armed men would rape her fellow inmates at night. The staff and the policemen posted at the shelter home would not help the victims, she alleged.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had, on Monday, ordered a special inquiry to trace the whistle-blower, and question the victims and administrators on the allegations.

Subsequently, the crime branch formed a special team to conduct the inquiry under the supervision of Ambadas Pote, deputy commissioner of police (detection). The team searched the premises in the morning and recorded the statements of some of the inmates and officials.

Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (crime), said: “The inquiry into the allegations has begun. Several people connected to the shelter home are being questioned.”

The crime branch also plans to speak to some of the former inmates of the shelter home. They have been asked to submit their report on the case within a week.