Government officials shielding NGO that illegally housed 36 kids?

Unauthorised orphanage raided last week, but authorities yet to gather evidence against woman running it

Government officials shielding NGO that illegally housed 36 kids?

Unauthorised orphanage raided last week, but authorities yet to gather evidence against woman running it

Government officials do not seem to be taking any action against an NGO that allegedly hid 36 children during a raid on an orphanage it had been running without a permit. The reason for this non-action is that the District Women and Child Development Department is yet to gather evidence against Malan Tulwe, who was allegedly running the illegal orphanage called Niradhar Balsangopan Anath Ashram in Gulab Kate Chawl in Dapodi.

No Kids, just clothes: The MiD DAY report on June 17 said though there
were no kids, their clothes were found at the ashram

Raid info leaked?
Last Thursday, a raid was initiated under the guidance of District Women and Child Development Officer Suvarna Pawar and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members following a complaint from social workers working with an NGO. The complaint came after social workers with Dnyandevi Childline found 36 children at the illegal orphanage run by Tulwe a week ago. Reacting to the suspicion that information about the raid was leaked beforehand, Pawar said, "The raid was done after I received the letter around 12 pm on Thursday. I arranged for two vehicles and we all went to conduct the raid. After this incident I have asked my subordinates that complaints be made directly to me to avoid a repeat of such incidents."

Papers not in order
Despite office-bearers' confession to government officials about the presence of 25 children, only 12 children were produced before the CWC for transfer orders. This was done as officials pointed out that 12 children who were present at the time of the raid were not produced before the CWC before accepting them in the orphanage.u00a0

Regarding another orphanage, the Saraswati Anath Shikshan Ashram in Pilaji Kate Chawl, Pawar said that all 12 boys and one girl were produced before CWC member for the legal transfer of the children to the orphanage. "Three underage boys were produced before the CWC and they will be transferred to orphanages which have licence to keep children under six," she said. In a letter to the District Women and Child Welfare Department, the orphanage had informed the government officials that a woman caretaker had been appointed.

Cops to step in
Considering the chances that children without any legal documents at illegal orphanage can be subjected to ill-treatment or abuse, top police officials will issue orders to subordinates to collect information. DCP Dnyaneshwar Chavan (III) said, "It is a sensitive matter. We have taken note of this incident and will collect information on whether the children were there at the orphanage."