Sexual Exploitation Slur On Dhenkanal Shelter Home In-Charge

Dhenkanal: While alleged rape of 34 minor girls in a shelter home at Muzaffarpur in Bihar triggered country-wide uproar, a similar case has come to the fore in Dhenkanal district of Odisha.

The minor girls of a shelter home in Dhenkanal district have accused the in-charge of the shelter home, Simanchal Nayak, sexually exploiting them.

Talking to the media recently, the panicked minor girls said though they have been sexually harassed by Nayak for over two years, they did not have the guts to speak about it due to shame and fear.

“He has been exploiting us sexually since the last two years. He did not even spare girls, who are below eight years of age,” they alleged.

The inmates also said that the owner of the shelter home, Fayaz Rahman, whom they call ‘daddy’, is currently staying abroad.

The shelter home initially operated from Dhenkanal town in 2012. It was closed down after the district administration declared it as illegal in 2015.

While a case on this matter is pending in the Orissa High Court, the owner of the shelter home constructed a new building in a secluded area on the outskirts of Dhenkanal town in 2016, where 54 minor girls and 40 minor boys are staying at present.

Acting on the media reports, Child Protection Officer (CPO) Anuradha Goswami and the members of the Child Welfare Committee of the district raided the shelter home on Friday.

“We have lodged a complaint at Sadar police station. Further investigation into the incident is on. Besides, the police will also investigate the matter. We will immediately hand over the minor children to their parents and guardians,” the CPO told the media.

Dhenkanal SDPO Sk Abdul Karim said the shelter home was being run without obtaining a permission from the district administration and the authority concerned.

“We will probe the matter and seal the shelter home after handing over the minor children to their parents and guardians tomorrow. We will also register a case against the owner of the shelter home,” the SDPO added.

Refuting the allegations, the in-charge of the shelter home said that the minor girls, out of anger and jealousy, have brought such allegations against him.

“Due to their unruly behaviour, I have reprimanded and counselled them several times. As they got an opportunity, they spoke against me,” he pointed out.