A complaint has been submitted to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an immediate investigation into alleged irregularities in the functioning of St Anthony’s Orphanage in Adoni, Andhra Pradesh. The complaint, filed by NGO watchdog Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), alleges that the institution has been operating orphanages without mandatory statutory recognition under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act while receiving substantial foreign contributions for orphan welfare and related activities.
The complaint alleges possible violations relating to child rights, misuse of foreign contributions regulated under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), governance irregularities, and the operation of an unregistered child care institution. The allegations have not been independently verified, and no response from St Anthony’s Orphanage or the Diocese of Kurnool was available at the time of publication.
According to the complaint, St Anthony’s Orphanage is a registered society bearing Registration No. 277 of 2004, incorporated on 15 March 2004, with its registered office located near the Railway Station in Adoni, Kurnool district. The society also holds FCRA Registration No. 010270006, which remains valid until 31 March 2029.
RTI Reply Allegedly Reveals Absence Of Statutory Registration
The central allegation in the complaint concerns the institution’s legal status as a child care facility.
The LRPF stated that it obtained information under the RTI from the Project Director of the District Woman and Child Development Agency, Kurnool. Based on this information, the organisation claims that St Anthony’s Orphanage does not appear in the official list of licensed or registered Child Care Institutions in the district.
The complaint further states that telephonic inquiries were subsequently made with the District Probation Officer and the District Child Protection Officer in Kurnool. According to the complaint, both officials confirmed that St Anthony’s Orphanage had not been granted approval or recognition as a Child Care Institution under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
The organisation argues that if children are indeed being housed at the premises without registration under Section 41 of the Juvenile Justice Act, it would amount to a serious statutory violation while raising significant concerns regarding child protection, institutional oversight and compliance with legal safeguards.
₹3.79 Crore In Foreign Contributions Under Scanner
The complaint also raises questions regarding foreign contributions received by the institution over several years.
Citing annual FC-4 returns filed before the Ministry of Home Affairs, the complaint states that St Anthony’s Orphanage received foreign funds amounting to ₹3,79,16,457 between the financial years 2006-07 and 2018-19.
According to the complaint, the funds were received for various purposes including construction and management of the orphanage, educational activities, social programmes and maintenance of the orphanage. The largest annual receipt was reportedly ₹1,07,30,485 during the financial year 2014-15 for construction and management of the orphanage. The complaint further contends that since the institution’s FCRA registration remains valid until 2029, additional foreign contributions may also have been received after 2018-19.
Social Media Presence Cited As Evidence Of Orphanage Operations
The complaint also shared publicly available material, including the institution’s Facebook page, to argue that St Anthony’s Orphanage is operating separate orphanages for boys and girls in Adoni under the administration of the Diocese of Kurnool.
According to the complaint, the institution publicly presents itself as an orphanage engaged in child welfare activities and has projected itself before the public and foreign donors as such. It further identifies Fr. P. John David as the Director of the institution and states that diocesan records describe him as an Assistant Parish Priest under the Diocese of Kurnool.
The complaint also cites newsletters and publications issued by the Diocese of Kurnool, alleging that they repeatedly refer to the activities of St Anthony’s Orphanage and thereby establish an administrative relationship between the Diocese and the institution.
Allegations Of Financial And Administrative Links Between Diocese-Linked Entities
The complaint also focuses on the overlapping governance structures among multiple FCRA-registered organisations linked to the Diocese of Kurnool.
According to the complaint, office bearers of St Anthony’s Orphanage simultaneously hold leadership positions in the Diocesan Educational Society, Kurnool Diocese Social Service Society and the Diocese of Kurnool Society.
The complaint identifies Gorantla Jawaharlal Nehru, President of St Anthony’s Orphanage, as also serving as President of all three related organisations. It further states that Secretary Mese Prasanna Kumar serves as Vice President of the Diocesan Educational Society, while member Mendem Ananda Kumar is also a member of the same society. Another member, David Arulappa, is stated to be Vice President of the Diocese of Kurnool Society.
Based on these overlaps, the LRPF alleges the existence of centralised administrative control, interconnected financial operations and possible coordination among the various Diocese-linked organisations. It claims these relationships warrant investigation into governance transparency, institutional independence, potential conflicts of interest, financial transactions between related entities and the possibility of diversion or layering of foreign contributions.
Questions Raised Over Child Welfare Compliance
The complaint also questions whether children housed at the institution were lawfully admitted and whether statutory authorities were informed as required under child protection laws.
It alleges that if the institution lacks legal recognition, questions arise regarding whether the District Collector, Child Welfare Committee and other competent authorities were notified about children residing at the orphanage. It also seeks an investigation into whether children staying at the institution are genuinely orphaned, abandoned or legally surrendered children, or whether they may have been projected as orphans for the purpose of obtaining foreign funding.
The complaint further seeks an inquiry into whether mandatory standards relating to nutrition, education, healthcare, psychological protection, inspections, institutional monitoring and child safety have been complied with, and whether vulnerable children may have been exposed to exploitation under the guise of charitable activities.
NHRC Urged To Order Comprehensive Probe
In its prayer before the NHRC, the Legal Rights Protection Forum has sought a comprehensive inquiry into the functioning of St Anthony’s Orphanage.
The organisation has requested the Commission to direct inspections of all premises operated by the society, ascertain the identity and legal status of every child residing there, verify compliance with the Juvenile Justice Act, obtain records from the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee and District Collector, and recommend that the Ministry of Home Affairs investigate the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions.
The complaint also urges the NHRC to examine financial transactions between St Anthony’s Orphanage and other Diocese-linked FCRA-registered organisations and recommend criminal, regulatory or statutory action if any violations are established following investigation.
Describing the matter as one involving the safety, dignity and legal protection of vulnerable children, the complainant has sought urgent intervention by the National Human Rights Commission.
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