The girl's mother said 12 days after the incident, the management has taken no action against the caretakers; accuses management of pressuring her, covering up the matter
The mother of a 8-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by a 14-year-old inmate at Balgram SOS Children’s Village, has gone on an indefinite fast from yesterday in protest against the inaction by the authorities of the shelter home.
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In Protest: The mother of the 8-year-old girl started an indefinite fast yesterday outside Balgram SOS Children’s Village. Pic/Krunal Gosavi
Speaking to MiD DAY, the Mother levelled allegations that Kumbhar, who was made complainant in the case, was unaware about the rape incident and her statement to the police, claiming that her daughter confessed to her about the incident was false.
The survivor’s mother said that Bansode had tried to hush up the matter and even beat up her daughter, when a similar sexual assault had occurred before Diwali.
It may be recalled that the minor was allegedly raped inside one of the houses at Balgram on November 26. On November 28, Yerawada Police lodged a complaint of molestation against the boy and after the medical reports became available, the rape charges were filed against the inmate.
The woman also said that Pote ill-treated her daughter when the latter was under medication after the medical reports confirmed it was rape and not molestation, as per the earlier complaint registered at Yerawada Police.
Traumatised
“The caretakers are keeping mum when other boys and girls are name calling my daughter and other two children, who are also residing there, for bringing bad repute to the institute,” she said, adding “The children and caretakers are constantly calling names to my daughter and pointing fingers towards her that she has been raped; it is too much to bear for a eight-year-old girl and her siblings,” she added.
“I have also informed the management about this ongoing torture my children are being subjected too. To this a group of boys even attacked my children and threatened them against complaining to the management. One boy even slapped my daughteron Tuesday night,” she added.
Management speaks
Rajanikant Nensee, director of SOS Balgaram, said, “There is no truth in these allegations. As for the action against the three staff members, we cannot take action against them on the basis of a complaint by an outsider. We have asked her fifteen days time to conduct an inquiry into her allegations. If we find that our authorities were indeed on the wrong, then we will take action against them.”
Nensee added that the survivor’s mother had withdrawn her fast without any conditions, but when contacted the mother said that she would continue her fast till the management acts and demanded action against Balgram Trustees for pressurizing her and trying to cover up the case.
“I have written a letter to the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Director General of Police and Pune Police Commissioner demanding action against those who tried to cover up the assault on my daughter,” said the mother.u00a0
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