Ayahs sent to judicial remand for branding three abandoned children in home

KARIMNAGAR: Two ayahs (caretakers) of Karimnagar city’s Shishu Gruha were arrested on Thursday for branding three abandoned children in the Home. They were produced before a court and sent to judicial remand. The Home run by the ICDS, a wing of the women and child welfare development department, is located at Savaran Street in Christian Colony of the city.

Karimnagar II Town inspector K. Hari Prasad said the ayahs, K. Padma and D. Buchamma, were taken into custody and produced in a court. The duo were sent to 14-day judicial remand. Earlier, cases were booked against the two caretakers under Section 324 of IPC and Section 75 and 85/2015 (cruelty to child) of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Padma branded on the wrists of Geeta, Rajan and Swaroopa, inmates of the Shishu Gruha, by heating a spatula for refusing to eat on April 15 evening. She took the assistance of Buchamma in this offence. The kids had blisters on their hands. The inhuman incident came to light on April 20.

District collector Neetu Prasad inspected the Home and sacked the ayahs, social worker Srilatha and manager Deva Rao for their role in the incident on Wednesday. She instructed police to book cases against the caretakers.

She served a show-cause notice on ICDS project director S. Mohan Reddy for his negligence in taking action against the culprits even after being informed.
People in the city and other places condemned the incident as it reflected the inhuman nature of the caretakers, who actually need to look after the kids.

Book ICDS officials: Politicos

Leaders of various political parties and members of civil liberties committee visited Shishu Griha in the city and demanded the government to book criminal cases against the authorities concerned, instead of the outsourced employees for their role in branding abandoned children at Shishu Gruha.

BJP city president Bandi Sanjay Kumar too sought stern action against the officials. He, along with Mahila Congress State president Nerella Sarada, inspected the Home  on Thursday.

Ms Sarada slammed Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for keeping the women and child development portfolio with him. “He is not able to focus on the safety of women even when the state is registering growing crime against women.  

He should give the portfolio to another elected  representative.” Mr Sarada demanded the government to take stern action against the officials responsible for this incident. She observed that employees who were recruited on contract  basis were terminated from services but officials who displayed apathy in taking action against the culprits and informing their superiors were spared.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar too wanted the government to book criminal cases against officials of the women and child development department for their negligent attitude in discharging duties.

He regretted that the children were living in a pathetic  situation at the Home due to the laxity of officials and lack of basic amenities. Members of People Voice for Child Rights Telangana Committee consoled the children.

Its president Ch. Sampath, in a memorandum, wanted the collector to act tough action against the authorities.  besides registering cases against them. They urged her to provide training to Ayahs and to take steps to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future.