Probe into ‘harassment’ of Bangla minor begins

Representatives of the Childline on Friday inquired into the alleged sexual harassment of an inmate at the Childline Home in the city.

A Bangladeshi minor girl, Sona, (name changed), who was referred to Childline Home, alleged that some staff sexually harassed her during her stay there. The 14-year-old girl was rescued from the city railway station and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) referred her to Childline Home for a short stay.

The girl alleged that the staff forcibly kept her in the home, despite repeated appeals to shift her to another home .

A two-member committee comprising Childline programme coordinator Chitra Anjan and Childline Chennai Coordinator Ravi inquired into the allegations. The team was understood to have questioned the home staff as to why Sona was kept there for about three months, when the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) suggested for a temporary stay.

Adding strength to the victim’s allegations, CWC Chairman B. Nagesh Rao said that the Committee asked the Childline organisers to shift Sona to another home, which was not done.

“We repeatedly asked the Childline staff to arrange for alternative shelter for the girl, but they did not follow the instructions ,” said Mr. Nagesh Rao.

The committee also verified the records of the staff and inquired about the other inmates. “We will submit a report to the organisation heads,” the panel members told the media.

We repeatedly asked Childline staff to arrange for alternative shelter for the girl, but they did not follow the instructions

B. Nagesh Rao,CWC Chairman