Two days after sexual harassment in the Dream Centre shelter home in Dhenknal district’s Balitikiri village came to the fore, all other shelter homes run by the Good News India (GNI) in Puri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Baleswar and Bhadrak districts were raided by the respective district administrations on Monday.
During the raids, it was found that the centres in Puri and Baleswar were running without recognition. As many as 22 shelter homes are being operated by the GNI in the State, according to reports.
“We have directed the SPs of all districts to conduct preliminary investigation if they suspect anything fishy or spot any negative activity. The report of those investigations will be then submitted to the concerned authorities,” said DGP Dr RP Sharma.
Sources said the Dhenkanal police have applied to court to take Good News India MD Fayaz Rehman on remand for interrogation.
Meanwhile, the BJP Mahila Morcha alleged that the Dream Centre was involved in religious conversion activities.
“Shelter homes run by the Good News India used to change religion of inmates belonging to the tribal community,” alleged Morcha State president Pravati Parida.
She said boys were also being subjected to torture and some of inmates were trafficked abroad. Parida said Women and Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal should own up responsibility and immediately resign on moral grounds.
She informed that a BJP fact-finding team would take stock of the situation at the 26 shelter homes run by the Good News India.
Notably, the Dhenkanal police have arrested three officials of the Dream Centre of charges of harassing inmates.