The State government informed the High Court on Wednesday that it could be reasonably apprehended that children were being brought from outside the State by Janaseva Sishu Bhavan, an orphanage at Aluva, for human trafficking and other allied activities.
Nevertheless, a conclusion could be arrived at only after an ongoing investigation, an affidavit filed in the High Court added.
The affidavit was filed in response to a writ petition filed by the Sishu Bhavan challenging the takeover of the orphanage.
In the affidavit, Biju Prabhakar, Special Secretary, Social Justice Department, said the government took over the orphanage as it had failed to rehabilitate the children housed there.
The takeover was only for three months or till all the children were reunited with their families or moved to a suitable institution, whichever was earlier.
The affidavit pointed out that a case had been registered under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 in the Kuttippuram police station based on the statement of a child that he had suffered physical torture at the Sishu Bhavan.
Besides, a case had been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences ( POCSO) Act, 2012 at the Ayirur police station.
Four children who went missing from the institution were found begging at the Thrissur railway station.
Three children from other States who went missing from the institution were traced from an illegal child care institution in Malappuram. Children frequently went missing from the institution.
The affidavit added that according to the whims of the petitioner, children were being sent out of the institution without intimating the authorities concerned.
Petition withdrawn
Meanwhile, when the petition came up for hearing, Janasena Sishu Bhavan sought to withdraw the petition and the court allowed its plea.
