Three caretakers of Mumbai ashram sexually assault 3 boys; 2 arrested

Mumbai: In a shocking case of crime against children, three caretakers of a children’s home in Kalamboli area of Navi Mumbai have been accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting three minor boys since February.

Two of the caretakers were arrested on Monday night while the third one has not yet returned from his hometown after summer breaks.

According to a report in The Times of India, the parents of the boys are flower vendors from Nalasopara and were not able to feed them for many months. So they sent the three boys, aged 11, 12 and 17 years, to the Kalamboli ashram. The ashram is run by a Vikhroli-based charitable trust. The trust also pays for the children’s education besides providing them accommodation.

The three boys, who are cousins, study in private schools in Kalamboli in classes 5, 6, and 9. The 17-year-old boy reportedly has a learning disability.

The incident came to light when the three boys refused to return to the ashram following their summer vacation.

“When their parents asked them the reason for their reluctance to return to the ashram, they told them that they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by the three caretaker youths since February,” TOI report quoted senior police inspector Machindra Khade as saying.

However, the trustees of the children’s home dismissed the allegation saying the boys made the false claim to avoid going back to the ashram, he added.

“Only three of the 22 boys at the ashram have alleged sexual assault by the caretakers, which is being probed,” said Assistant commissioner of police (Panvel division) Prakash Nilewad.

The boys were sent for medical test on the same day when the FIR was registered, Zonal DCP Rajendra Mane said.

“The results are awaited,” he added

“On learning about the arrests, I went to Kalamboli police station and asked how could they arrest the caretakers without informing the administrator,” the trustee, who requested anonymity, told TOI.

“But the policemen threatened to arrest me for interfering in the legal process,” he claimed.