DM removed, DPO suspended after 24 girls rescued from Deoria shelter home following allegations of sexual abuse; manager and her husband arrested

Deoria. Even as more horrifying details of the Muzaffarnagar shelter home scandal where young girls were sexually abused and tortured are still coming out, another similar case has come to light in Deoria in Uttar Pradesh where girls in a shelter home were also being abused.

The matter came to light when a girl from the shelter home – Ma Vindhyavasani Mahila aur Balika Sanrakshan Grah – scaled the walls on Sunday night and reached the police station. She told the police about the goings-on at the home. "Girls from the home were sent away in big red, white or black cars. They would return the next morning. When we asked them what happened, they would cry," she reportedly told the police.

Immediately on the receipt of information, the police raided the shelter home. They were able to rescue 24 of the girls there while there is no information on where the rest of the girls are. It is believed that 18 girls are still missing.

The manager of the home, Girija Tripath, her husband Mohan Tripathi and in-charge Kanchan Lata have been arrested. Anand Kumar, Additional Director General (Law and Order), UP Police, said, "A detailed investigation will be conducted. We have sent the girls from the home for medical examination. Their statements will be recorded in the POCSO court. Action will be taken according to the law."

Rita Bahuguna Joshi, the State Women and Child Welfare minister, said, "Our department had issued orders to shut down the home since its license had been suspended. A case has been filed in their matter. This is a serious matter. Once the truth comes out, strictest action will be taken."

The license of the home had been suspended following allegations of irregularities. However, Girija Tripathi has reportedly obtained a stay on this from the court.