Institute for HIV+ under lens after 2 boys allege torture

GURGAON: A Child Care Institute (CCI), the only shelter home in Gurgaon for Hiv-infected children or whose parents are HIV Positive, has come under the scanner of the district administration after two minor siblings recently ran away from the institute. The CCI houses 28 children, including girls and boys.

The boys, whose parents are HIV positive, reportedly escaped on December 14 and went to their aunt’s home in Delhi’s Rohini after they were allegedly beaten by the caretaker of the private illegal home. The incident came to light during the counselling session at the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after the children, aged 13 and 14 years old, were produced before it on December 18.

During counselling, the boys told the CWC officials that they fled the home because one of the boys, who scored less in exams, forged the signature of the caretaker and was caught by the teacher. He was allegedly brutally assaulted by the caretaker after the teacher complained.

“Please don’t send us back to the same place, the bhaiya beats us, puts red chili powder in eyes, forces us to drink liquor and often misbehaves with the other children at the home. He threatened my parents that your boys have raped before fleeing from the CCI,” the 14-year-old told CWC officials.

On December 14, the CCI officials informed the parents that the boys had fled the home. Their mother called Childline, a child helpline, informing them about the disappearance of her kids. The parents had left their kids, who are healthy, at the home three years ago so that they could study and be independent.

“We received a call on 1098 (Childline) from Delhi at 8pm on December 14 that two children are missing from Gurgaon CCI and they wanted our help to find the two boys,” said Rishi Kant, who runs Shakti Vahini, a Childline in Gurgaon.

“After two days, the mother called again and informed they are reaching Gurgaon with her two boys,” said Kant

The District child protection unit (DCPU) officials came to know about the incident on December 18 when a team visited the CCI for inspection after receiving an application for registration of the institute. The DCPU officials were told the boys had gone to meet their mother as she was critical. On their return from inspection, the DCPU officials found the boys at their office.

“The boys had minor bruises and were in tears. They were shifted to another CCI in Gurgaon,” said Shakuntala Dhull, chairperson, CWC Gurgaon.

After recording their statements, the CWC sent the reports to the DCPU and they mailed to Gurgaon police. Fifteen days have passed but there has been no progress in the case. Meanwhile, the police said they are conducting investigations under JJ Act.

“As soon as we got the information we terminated the caretaker. We will ensure no such act is repeated at our home in the future,” the CCI officials said.