Three minor girls raped by peon at government orphanage in Allahabad

The accused Vidyabhushan Ojha (52) was arrested from the vicinity of the juvenile home, which is situated in Shivkuti locality of Allahabad.

LUCKNOW: In a horrifying incident, three minor girls were raped by peon in Rajikiya Shishu Grih, an orphanage run by the government, for children below 10 years of age in Allahabad district. The victims are said to be between 6 to 9 years of age were subjected to physical and mental trauma for last few months. An FIR has been lodged by orphanage with the police on the basis of complaint of the victims.

The peon was raping them for last few months and had threatened them of dire consequences if they dared to lodge a complaint. However, the matter came to light when one of the girl told it to childless couple who had come to adopt her. The couple immediately informed the local authorities. Later inquires revealed that there were two more victims. The medical examination of the girls has confirmed rape.

The accused, Vidhya Ojha, has been arrested. He was employed on contract basis and working in the orphanage for the last five years. Senior officials of the Allahabad district administration rushed to the spot after they came to know about the incident. The state government has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Orphanage superintendent Urmila Gupta has been suspended on charges of laxity in discharge of duty.

The police has registered a case. Official suspect that a few mentally retarded orphan girls in the orphanage have also been abused. Experts will be called to interact with the mentally retarded girls to find out the truth. Other children in the orphanage are also being examined. The orphanage has children more than its capacity and is in poor condition. Most of the residents are girls as the childless couple prefer boys for adoption.

This is not the first incident when minor and disabled girls gave fallen victim to perverts in government institutions in the state. Last year, a visually challenged girl was raped in the government school for blind in Lucknow. In December 2012, as many as 12 deaf and dumb girls and a boy studying in a government school for hearing impaired had complained about sexual harassment by the son of the school manager.