Three individuals, including a 75-year-old religious preacher, have been arrested in connection with the sexual harassment of minors at a privately-run orphanage in Unamancheri, near Vandalur in Chengalpattu district.
The main accused, Aruldas, a religious preacher from Tindivanam in Villupuram district, has been operating an orphanage named Thambi Illam on Periyar Street in Unamancheri since 2011. The orphanage currently houses 34 children, 16 boys and 18 girls all under the age of 18. Priya, 40, served as the manager of the facility, while Palani, 52, a local resident, was employed a year ago as the driver responsible for transporting the girls to a nearby government school.
According to reports, eight girls studying in Classes 10, 11, and 12 were subjected to ongoing sexual abuse by Aruldas and the driver Palani. The issue came to light when Chengalpattu District Child Protection Officer Saravana Kumar received a tip-off and launched an inquiry. On 10 July, around 7:30 p.m., a team from the Child Welfare Committee visited the orphanage and interviewed the girls, during which the allegations were confirmed.
Further investigation revealed that the orphanage manager, Priya, was aware of the abuse and failed to take any action, making her complicit in the crime. All children residing in the facility were immediately relocated to a government-run shelter for their safety.
Following a formal complaint by the Child Protection Officer, the Vandalur Women’s Police Station registered a case. Aruldas, Palani, and Priya were taken into custody. During the arrest, Aruldas reportedly complained of chest pain and was initially taken to Chromepet Government Hospital before being shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai for further treatment.
Priya and Palani were produced before a magistrate at the Chengalpattu court and were remanded to judicial custody at the Chengalpattu district jail.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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