Sexual harassment in shelter home: Police arrests in-charge

Dhenkanal: Following allegations of sexual harassment of girl inmates at Dream Centre Shelter Home at Beltikiri here, Dhenkanal Sadar Police on Friday late night arrested the in-charge of the shelter home, Simanchal Nayak. He will be court-forwarded today.

On the other hand, a team of police officials are interrogating the managing director of the shelter home, Fayaz Rehman in connection with the incident.

Earlier, the officials of district Child protection Unit (DCPU) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) raided the shelter home and later filed a complaint at the Sadar police station after conducting an on-spot inquiry yesterday. Based on the complaint, Nayak has been arrested, sources said.

The girls alleged that Nayak used to touch harass them sexually, physically and mentally.

Meanwhile, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Anuradha Goswami informed that Dream Centre Shelter Home violated provisions under Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act and was operating illegally.

On the other hand, Rehman while talking to OTV over phone yesterday refuted the charges saying that the girls are levelling such allegations after being instigated by some people with vested interests.

Nayak too refuted the allegations and called it an act of revenge by the girls for trying to enforce discipline.

“They have levelled allegations against me as they were having affairs. Many a times I have seized love letters and mobile phones from the girls,” Nayak said.