Bengaluru: Girl sexually assaulted by orphanage founder

Bengaluru: A 12-year-old girl was sexually assaulted over a period of time by the founder of an orphanage where she stayed, in Chikkasandra in Bengaluru North. The accused has been identified as Vijay Raj, 35, and was arrested on Wednesday.

According to police, the victim was a resident of the orphanage for the past three years and studying in class seven at a private school. Her mother, who is yet to be identified, is a daily wage labourer. As she could not afford her education, she had sent her to the orphanage, where she was provided with food, shelter and education. On Tuesday noon, the victim was seen standing near a pavement in Chikkasandra near the orphanage and crying.

An elderly woman noticed her and approached her. The victim narrated her ordeal and told the woman that the founder of the orphanage, Vijay Raj, was constantly sexually harassing her over for the past couple of months. The victim told the woman that he used to touch her at inappropriate places and even molest her. She had made several attempts to flee the orphanage, but in vain. On Tuesday, she got an opportunity and fled.

The elderly woman immediately informed her friends and took the victim to Soladevanahalli police station where a complaint was registered. Based on the complaint, the police detained Raj and questioned him. Though he initially refuted the allegations that he was the custodian of the girl at the orphanage, he later reportedly confessed to the crime. The police are also questioning the other staff members and children in the orphanage to find out if he had behaved with others in a similar manner.

The orphanage was started by Raj around seven years ago. It housed a total of 30 students, out of which 22 were boys and eight girls. The victim claimed that her father was no more and her mother was sole guardian. “We are trying to trace the mother after which the victim will be handed over to her mother. Currently, she is being counselled and treated at a state-run home for girls,” said an investigating officer.

The minor girl and the accused have been taken for medical examinations and all the POCSO protocols were being followed, added the officer. The accused has been booked under several sections under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and further investigations are underway.